“TRYING YEAR”

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 9

“TRYING YEAR”

EXPERIENCE OF THE FARMERS. TOKO UNION ANNUAL MEETING. “Another trying year” was the comment on the year ended March 31 made by the president of the Toko branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. T. T. Murray, in his report presented to the annual meeting of the branch on Wednesday night. There, were about twenty members present and Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., Dominion president of the union, also attended and addressed the meeting. Dairy produce prices remained low, said Mr. Murray, and last year’s rise in wool was not maintained. Fat stock was a little better, particularly in the case of beef, with the exception of cull classes. Fat lambs and mutton were good in the early part of . the season, but prices were not maintained, resulting in heavy losses to graziers who bought for fattening purposes. The low .and fluctuating prices were having a ■serious effect on farming generally, and had thrown a heavy load of work on the leaders of the union in their endeavours to assist farmers. In this respect the president drew attention to the efforts of Mr. Polson both in and out of Parliament in the interests of farmers.

The roll stood at 50, almost all of the members being financial. During the year a lecture was given by Mr. Polson on the Pig Marketing Association. Two social evenings and a shooting match were held. Winners of the branch’s competitions during the year were: Swedes, Mr. E. Jones; pastures, Mr. L. Marfell; carrots, Mr. E. Jones; half-acre mangolds, Mr. E. Jones; one acre mangolds, Messrs. W. J. and P. Jones; hay, Mr. H. J. Kaye; ensilage, Mr. H. Cook; points shield, Mr. E. Jones. Thanks were extended to the joint secretaries, Messrs. Marfell and Sextus, and to the branch of the W.D.F.U.

A donation of. £2 to the South Taranaki Boys and Girls’ Club funds was voted. On the motion of Mr. Murray the branch decided to give to the three schools in its district—Douglas, Huinga and Toko—£l Is each for the King’s jubilee celebrations to supplement the Government allowance. \

Approval of the application of the time limit to all stock sales was expressed by the branch. It was a step in the right direction .said Mr, A. Marfell, and should have come into force long ago. Mr. Murray said the system had already been tried successfully at some of the biggest sales in New Zealand. “ /

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. T. T. Murray; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. G. Were, A. Marfell and J. B. Clemow; hon. joint secretaries, Messrs. L. Marfell and R. Sextus; delegates to the Stratford sub-provincial executive, the chairman and the joint secretaries; delegates to sub-provincial conference, Messrs. Murray and L. Marfell; hon. auditor, Mr. H. Henderson. North Taranaki was very fortunate in its president and its secretary, Messrs. H. E. Blyde and D. le C. Morgan respectively, said Mr. Murray, and on his motion the branch recorded its appreciation of their work.