FARMERS' UNION

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3270, 10 March 1931, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION

TE AWAMUTU BRANCH. MONTHLY MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE.

Mr A. Hanna (president) occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers' Union on Saturday, and also present were Messrs G. T. Crawley,*- A. S. Wyllie, W. Old, W. Taylor, E. Wilson, J. G. Wynyard, S. H. West, J. G. Butterworth, and W; J. Hodgson (secretary). . Mr J. S. Duncan was granted leave of absence. The president reported that a very well attended meeting had been convened under the auspices of the branch at the Town Hall last Saturday evening, when a most informative address on the need for de-rating of farm lands was given by Mr A. E. Robinson, provincial secretary of the Farmers' Union. Resolutions were carried unanimously supporting the proposal, and Mr Robinson was very heartily thanked for his address, and the facts and figures adduced by the speaker were, the president thought, incontrovertible. Mr Wyllie questioned the correctness, or usefulness, of a statement attributed to Mr Robinson to the effect

that if all the farmers were sold up at present 75 per cent of them would be bankrupt. He (the speaker) was confident the figures were not a true indication of the position in Waikato. Further, county rates had not been doub.ed in all parts. There were, he agreed, probably isolated instances. Mr West interjected that his farm rates had increased by actually 120 per cent. Continuing, Mr Wyllie said the reference to the percentage of farmers with motor cars was quite wrong as regarded Waikato. He admitted that the sheep men had been hard hit, but the average dairyman had not had such a continuance of low prices as to make him insolvent. Mr Hodgson claimed that the figures quoted by Mr Robinson were substantially correct, and were used in an endeavour to make the authorities and the whole community realise the position of the man on the land. In his own case, he had doubled production, but the percentage of profit showed only a very small increase, because of the high production costs. Mr, Robinson had carefully • compiled his figures, and explained his assessments. . :

The number of working farmers in New Zealand was questioned, and the opinion was expressed that 40,000 to 50,000 was a more likely figure than the 85,000 quoted so frequently by the Auckland newspapers. Mr Butterworth urged that all farmers should use every endeavour to increase production. To slacken off would be utterly wrong. The report was received. Mr Crawley said objection had been lodged to the proposed increase in rural mail charges, and he read the reply by-the Postmaster-General. The sub-provincial executive had discussed the points raised, and Mr Feisst had been authorised to draft a reply along the lines of the discussion.

Mr Crawley expresesd the opinion that a committee would shortly be set up by the sub-provincial executive to assist farmers who desired assistance in securing reduction of mortgages. The committee would help applicants

to prepare adequate and accurate statements for submission to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, who had been appointed by the Government to act as mediator between mortgagor and mortgagee. Notification was received that the annual conference of the sub-provin-cial branches would be held on 10th April, and the provincial conference would be held at Hamilton toward the end of May. Te Awamutu branch was entitled to send delegates to the sub-provincial conference at the rate of one delegate for every 25 members.

Inquiry was made from the Workers' Education Association's tutororganiser for Waikato, Dr Beaglehole, M.A., as to prospects of forming a class in Te Awamutu district. It was impossible to conduct regular classes in any centre more than 20 miles from Hamilton.

Mr Crawley said a class had been, formed at' Puahue ; under the Box Scheme Group system, and Puahue members had decided to take the course on " Appreciation", in four sections—drama, music, art, and literature.

The secretary reported that he had received a number of forms from the Unemployment Board in connection with the No. 4b scheme, by which farmers could obtain portion of wages paid from development work on farms from the Board by way of subsidy. The Board asked for the full co-op-eration of Farmers' Union branches throughout New Zealand. Mr Crawley, in his report on business at the last sub-provincial executive meeting, gave an outline of the discussion, on' the ragwort menace and the; decisions arrived at.

Mr West gave a verbal report on the recent conference at Hamilton of representatives of Waikato local and public bodies to consider the best plan to take to combat the menace of ragwort. The Waipa county delegate; Cr Peacdcke, had especially stressed the menace of a small section near Kaipaki, unoccupied Maori-owned land. The ragwort spreading from that section was menacing neighbouring clean land. Mr West quoted the resolutions carried at that conference (already published).—Mr West was heartily thanked for his report. A suggestion was made that Mr F. B. Stephens, of 'Auckland, a former tutor-organiser for the Workers' Education Association, should be invited to give an address to Te Awamutu group on the subject of farm bookkeeping. Mr Stephens had, investigated the position last year in various parts of Waikato, and his experience and observations should be well worth hearing. The suggestion was approved. The .chairman said the annual meeting was to be held this month, and he inquired if it was desired to make the assembly a social gathering. Personally he thought it would be better to , dispense with the social feature this year;—This was agreed to, and the !

meeting will be held on 28th March (a Saturday), in the evening. Mr Wilson advanced the suggestion that, prior to the annual meeting, members in each part of the district could promote gatherings where addresses on selected topics could be given. This would stimulate interest in the Union's objective. It was stated that the provincial organiser would visit Te Awamutu district in the course of a week or two to enrol members.

The secretary said Mr Wilson's suggestion was a good one, but there' was very little time to secure speakers.

Regret was expressed that so few farmers were awake to the need for taking a keen and intelligent interest in farmers' affairs.

A small sub-committee was set up to arrange for the annual meeting, and invitations will be extended to the presidents of the Auckland and Waikato executives.

The president intimated that he could not accept re-nomination to the presidency of the branch. He had held office for two years, just as his predecessor had d/one, and did not wish to continue owing to pressure of other duties. He asked members to think over the situation and choose someone to accept the position at the annual meeting.

Members expressed sincere regret that Mr Hanna would not again be available, and they paid glowing tributes to him for his useful work—useful not only to the branch but to the whole community. Mr Hanna said he would still be available for executive work, if desired; but he could not at present see his way to accept re-appointment to the presidency. He could not now devote the time necessary to that important position. The meeting was unanimous in urging Mr Hanna to re-consider his decision, and finally he-acceded to the request, amid applause.