WESTMERE FARMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 85, 12 April 1943, Page 3

WESTMERE FARMERS

ANNUAL BRANCH MEETING HELD GIFT CALI’ SCHEME DISCUSSED. Presided over by Mr. A. R. Laird, the annual meeting of the Westmere branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union was held on Saturday night ano was attended by 22 members, a record for the branch. Mr. R. Farley referred to the gift calf scheme which was initiated by the R.S.A. last year and expressed regret that the matter had been dropped. It was pointed out that the scheme was in abeyance because difficulty had been found in providing means whereby the gift calves could be handed over to returned servicemen free of any restrictions. Mr. Farley suggested that if farmers had calves suitable for returned men they should keep them on their own farms until the time was opportune to hand them over to the recipients. The chairman said that it was pleasing to note that this matter was still in the minds of farmers and he hoped that those who were organising the scheme would take heart and endeavour to solve the problems which had caused delay in finalising the scheme. The scheme proposed by the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union for a federation of primary producers on the lines ot the National Union of Farmers of England, was fully discussed and Messrs. R. Farley, C. Corliss and others spoke in favour of the scheme. The following resolution was carried unanimously “That this branch is in favour of the proposed re-organisatinon of primary producers in one organisation and recommends that the New Zealand Executive of the Farmers’ Union be asked to investigate the possibilities of tive, Messrs. R. Farley and L. R. Skitton Central Provincial Executive." It was decided to devote f 3 of the balance in hand towards the work of the W.D.F.A. and Women's Institute in forwarding parcels to men from the district who are serving overseas, the amount to be divided equally between the two bodies. Mr. A. R. Donaldson, provincial secretary, gave a resume of the work performed during the year by the Dominion Executive and the Wanganui Provincial Executive and at the conclusion of his address was given a vote of thanks by acclamation. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Chairman, Mr. A. L. Laird; vice-chairman, Messrs. L. R. Skilton and R. H. Farley; secretary, Mr. C. B. Da.wes; delegates to Provincial Executive, Messrs. R. Farley an L. R. Skilton, delegate to Interprovincial Conference, Mr. C. J. Masters. Several members spoke in appreciation of the services rendered over a long period of years by the chairman, Mr. A. L. Laird, and the secretary, Mr. C. B. Dawes. Both were given a vote of thanks. At the conclusion of the meeting the committee entertained those present at supper.