FARMERS’ UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19826, 28 April 1927, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

IHTNTER VILLE BRANCH. The annual general meeting of the Huntervillo branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday. Mr Lloyd Hammond presided over a fair attendance.

The annual report was read by the chairman and confirmed. Two general and two executive meetings were held. Tho attendance at the general metings wa,s poor but the executive meetings were well attended. During the freezing works’ strike, this branch formed a local organisation with the result that it was able to supply all free labour asked for, and had a number of volunteers ready whose services were not required. The branch was also the first to move in the eradication of Utiwai, and this problem had now been taken up by neighbouring branches. The subcommittee who have the matter in hand propose at a later date to form representative deputations from neighbouring counties with a view to placing some concrete proposals before members of Parliament and the Minister of Agriculture. A further movement of this branch is under way with a view to having noxious weeds brought under the control of Rabbit Boards. The membership shows an increase of one on tho previous year—Renewals 16, arrears paid up 5. During the year, the branch was represented at the international conference held at Wanganui by Mr Logan McLean and the chairman. Also representatives had attended all provincial meetings held alternately at Feilding and Marton. Thanks were extended to those members of the committee and officials who had given their services during the past year, more particularly Mr D. Simpson, the secretary. The balance sheet, which showed a balance in hand of £49 9s 4d, was also read and confirmed.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr Lloyd Hammond; vice-presidents, Messrs A. G. Simpson, J. D. Lilburn, L. McLean, and D. D. Simpson; treasurer, Mr A. G. Simpson; secretary, Mr D. D. Simpson; executive, Messrs T. A. Duncan, J. Lambert, W. Illston, C. J. Masters, and G. Simpson.

The committee was elected as follows: —Messrs P. Powell, V. Hammond. J. Lambert, W. Hlston, L. Lambert, G. Simpson, and officers ex-officio, with power to add. Delegate to Conference. —Mr P. Powell.

The annual subscription was reduced from 25s to £l. A letter was received from the provincial secretary notifying that the inter-provincial conference will be held at Levin, commencing on Tuesday May 17. Tho secretary was instructed to send the following remits to the conference. (1) “That farmers be exempt from heavy traffic license fees where owners do not ply for hire; (2) That the control of noxious weeds be brought under the Rabbit Boards wherever practicable.

The chairman then introduced Mr McAlpine, organiser of tho Farmers’ Union, stating that Mr McAlpine would visit the district shortly to enrol new members to the Union and asking all present to assist him. McAlpine then gave an address on. the benefits of the Union, saying that the crying need of this country at the present time was cheaper money and advocating the founding of an Agricultural Bank which was one of the Union’s objectives. Another objective was the amendment of the Arbitration Court Act, to provide for the farmer having a voice in disputes between employer and employee where the matter under discussion was of vital importance to the farming community. The speaker said taxation was altogether too high in this country and the only way in which the farmers could get same reduced was by organizing and becoming a big body all of une mind, so as tq be a very strong community that could bring pressure to bear on the Government.