CROWN TENANTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20103, 9 May 1935, Page 5

CROWN TENANTS

ST. ANDREW’S BRANCH. At the annual meeting of the St. Andrew’s Branch of the New Zealand Crown Tenants’ Association, Mr L. R. Fenwick presided over a fair attendance of members. The annual report and balancesheet which were adopted without discussion, showed that the branch had had a successful year. There was a membership of 37 and a credit balance of £2/2/-. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr L. R. Fenwick; vicechairman, Mr F. Brennan; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. G. Morrison; delegates, chairman, secretary and Mr J. L. Gray. An appeal from the provincial executive for the voluntary contribution of funds by individual members and branches, to meet an anticipated deficit on the year’s working was read and provoked much discussion. The secretary stated that the drift in the Association’s finance had been brought about by the settling up of an expensive Dominion executive, the purchase of an expensive typewriter and duplicator, and the payment during the last year of a salary to the secretary, none of which was justified by the scope of the association’s activities. Considerable economies could also have been effected in stationery, etc., delegates being supplied with much needless correspondence. It was unanimously resolved that no action be taken.

It was decided to oppose the proposed reversion to the graduated scale of subscription. In reaching this decision members were of the opinion that it was essential that the subscriptions be kept as low as possible, and that any increase would mean decreased membership, and the proposal would defeat the object it sought to attain. The proposal was considered admirable in theory but iniquitous in practice, a member's capital value being no indication of his ability to pay. As a result of a discussion at the last executive meeting the following motion was carried unanimously: “That all executive meetings be open to the press.”

Departmental methods of disposing of forfeited or abandoned holdings, on which the experience of previous occupiers showed that the area and quality of the soil did not afford a reasonable opportunity for successful occupancy was discussed, and it was agreed that the matter be brought under the notice of the executive, with a view to appropriate action being taken. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the branch at Esk Valley in June.