FARMERS’ UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 112, 13 May 1936, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

ALTON-KAKARAMEA BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD. [ From Our Own Correspondent. ] PATEA, May 11. Full and keen discussion of a lengthy agenda characterised the annual meeting of the Alton-Kakaramea branch of the Farmers’ Union at Whenuakura on Monday. Mr. A. B. Muggridge, Manutahi, presided, and Mr. \V. A. Sheat, Pin am a, South Taranaki, president o± the Farmers’ Union, was present. A number of remits were drafted for submission to the annual conference, all of a nou-political character. Government Legislation. References to recent Government legislation which affect-ed farmers were made by the chairman in reviewing the year just concluded. He said that there was no disguising the fact that the Government were definitely interested in the plight of the farmer, and the man in straitened circumstances would obtain relief. No one could £orse\j the result of some of the most revoluntary legislation ever placed on New Zealand’s statute book and no one was in a position to pass judgment. The farmer was losing the right to market his own products and the scope of the boards of directors was being substantially curtailed, Mr. Muggridge, continued. The quality of the \ produce was to be determined 'by the Government. All these things had become a job for the Government because of the lack of co-operation among farmers and the varied interests and lack of unanimity that had given rise to countless difficulties. The dairy industry was not without blame. He was not an advocate of State control but he felt that much of what was happening was largely the fault of the industry. The new Act might have the result of increasing the union’s membership as the Government had expressed a preference to deal with representatives of organised interests and it was possible that a new era for the union was dawning. Those who preferred to remain outside of the union might suffer for their nonrepresentation. Work of the Organiser. In reply to an inquiry as to cause of the local membership decline to 57 from 120, it was stated by Mr. Sheat that the work of the organiser, Mr. Harris, had been delayed by a motor-car accident, as the result ot which he was an inmate of the New Plymouth hospital. It was possible that Mr. Dawson, chief Dominion organiser, would deputise for Mr. Harris if the latter could not resume at a reasonably early date. The method of subscription of members, either by continuous orders through factories or agents, should have no bearing on membership, he continued. The Women’s Division had more keen members and despite their low subscriptions set an example to the men’s branches. Election of Officers. Officers were elected as follow: —President, Mr. A. B. Muggridge; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs. H. Parsons, G. Hurley, P. Oakley; secretary, Mr. A. Tayler; auditor, Mr. Proffitt; delegate to conference, Mr. C. R. Honey Held; delegates to monthly meetings at Hawera, Messrs A. Taylor, W. Parsons. Remits for the annual conference were drafted as follows: 4 ‘Whilst opposing t’he reintroduction of the graduated land tax, this branch is of the opinion that if reintroduced it should apply to all urban and rural areas. ” “Taking into consideration the substantial revenue from toil calls from country subscribers, the telephone rates on party lines be reviewed by the Post and Telegraph Department.” “That all milk supplied for human consumption should be certified free of tuberculosis.’’ “That a certificate of analysis accompany all pollard, meal and similar products.’’ “That the attention of county councils be drawn to the non-enforcement of the by-laws relating to the obscuring of corners by hedges and other obstructions.” “That an increase of capitation grants to branches be increased.'* Under the present conditions only 2s 9d is received by the branch of the member’s subscription of £l. It was decided to support the young farmers’ movement and to donate £1 to each school in the district competing in the calf-rearing competitions. Hay and ensilage competitions will be held by the branch as formerly. Tuberculosis in Stock. In discussing the problem of tuberculosis in stock the fear was expressed by members that the incidence of tuberculosis in *pigs might be attributed to pig meals prepared at freezing works from condemned cows and also from the whey obtained from the factory. It was stated that 97 per cent, of tuber-

son. culosis bacilli were still active after half an hour’s exposure to a temperature of 150 deg. loh., indicating that pasteurisation was useless for the destruction of T.B. in milk. The Babbit Problem. Proposals to deal more effectively with the rabbit problem were given lengthy consideration and suggestions for the formation of district rabbit associations rabbit boards, the employment of rabbiters under a group system, were alternatively considered. It was argued that whilst the problem did not offer grave difficulties at the present time, failure to combat the spiead of rabbits would later constitute a major liability. A feature of the discussion was the fact that whilst some farmers stated that rabbits were present in large quantities on their farms, the owners of adjoining and neighbouring properties stated that they had seen no rabbits. It was decided to take no action in the matter at present. Supper was served, the meeting ending at midnight. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Sheat for his attendance was carried with acclamation.