FARMERS’ UNION

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3328, 28 July 1931, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

TE AWAMUTU BRANCH.

general Matters dealt WITH. Mr A. S. Wyllie presided at the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union last Saturday, and also present were Messrs G. H. Whyte, G. T. Crawley, W. Old, J. G. Butterworth, S. H. West, Taylor, and W. J. Hodgson (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. Hanna (president), F. J. B. Ryburn, E. Wilson, and W. A. Woodward.

Feeling reference was made to Mr Hanna’s illness, and the hope was expressed that he would soon be completely restored to health. The Auckland provincial secretary wrote: “Many thanks for the way in which your branch helped the poor and needy in Auckland. The committee responsible for the actual distribution (members of city social service oaganisations) have expresed a wish to thank you personally, and I append their letter. Will you please convey to all those responsible for this fine result the thanks of my executive and my own personal gratitude for your enthusiasm.” The chairman said the “ drive ” had been very successful, and those responsible were to be congratulated. The next consignment (to be sent on Wednesday) will include 48 sheep, 4 cattle, and 3 pigs, besides a large array of vegetables and other foodstuffs. Everybody in the whole district is responding very generously. The Farmers’ Union is the means oi collecting and forwarding the goods. Appreciation was expressed of the splendid assistance given by Messrs Harden, Ltd., in the Union’s activities, and especially in a move the executive had in hand for showing its appreciation of the loyal and conscientious service rendered by the presid--1 The Prime Minister acknowledged the Union’s communication on the question of unemployment. The* suggestions contained in the resolution would receive careful consideration. Mr J. A. Young, M.P. }- wrote that he had read with much interest the branch’s recommendation of a scheme for affording relief for unemployed single men by way of work on farms. Mr H. E. Holland, leader of the | Parliamentary Labour Party, acknowledged with thanks receipt of the branch’s scheme for employing wordless single men by farmers. Dr H. E. Annett, Hamilton, wrote that the only date available for his proposed address to Te Awamutu farmers was Friday, 21st August. Mr H. M. Rushworth, M.P., wrote that he regretted being unable to suggest any precise date for addressing a public meeting in Te Awamutu. He would write again as soon as he could find a suitable date. The provincial secretary notified the transfer of Te Awamutu branch members to the new Ohaupo branch, where 24 new members had also been enrolled.

Mr Whyte reported that the new branch Jiad been established, with a strong executive and about sixty members. An address had been given recently by Mr J. H. Fumiss, of Taupiri, on banking methods, and keen interest was displayed. Another meeting early next month would probably be addressed by Mr P. W. Smailfield, fields superintendent of the Department of Agriculture. Good wishes are to be conveyed to the Ohaupo branch. The Director-General of Agriculture wrote re the branch’s representations that the Department should carry out experiments on the treatment of ragwort poisoning in sheep. He added: “ In reply I have to advise you that extensive experiments have already been carried out with regard to the effects of ragwort on stock, which enables us to state definitely what its effects are. The results of the experiments carried out by the Department are recognised as a standard authority on the subject, and are quoted by authorities in other countries. Ragwoi’t when eaten by stock acts in an insidious and slow manner, producing a condition of cirrhosis of the liver, and the symptoms of poisoning are not usually exhibited until structural alterations of the organ have taken place which are not amenable to any treatment. Now that a cheap and effective method of destroying the weed is available, namely, by the use of sodium chlorate,. it is reasonable to assume that mortality from ragwort poisoning will be considerably lessened.” The chairman said on his' own farm it was very noticeable that there was a decreased amount of ragwort. He had used sodium, chlorate last season. Prospects were good for the closelycultivated lands. Mr Whyte said his experiecne was the same. Mr West said one of his paddocks had been used for a demonstration last season by the stock inspector, and now there was hardly a plant of ragwort to be seen. Mr Whyte said he had not used the sodium as a spray. He applied the powder by using a perforated tin; he put his heel into a plant and then dusted it with the powder. Mir West remarked that that plan would be practicable only on lands not badly infested. Mr Wyllie said he had used the powder on his property. < Members expressed the opinion that the task this year would be nothing like so great as last year. Mr Whyte said the trouble would be that lands that had been cleaned would be menaced by ragwort from the lands of careless farmers. In the resultant discussion it was stated that if every ragwort seed germinated no blade of grass could possibly grow. It was little' use pulling the flowering seed unless it was burned. Some farmers seemed to think that collecting it and leaving it in piles to rot was futile and foolish. , Mr Crawley reported having attended last meeting of the shb-provincial executive with Mr E. Wilson, and he gave a concise report on the business transacted there. A library of reference works was to be created at Hamilton headquarters and made available to any member. <