FARMERS’ UNION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 May 1928, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

Provincial executive. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Wairaaupa Provincial Executive of the New .Zealand Farmers' Union was held in Masterton to-day, Mr C. C. Jackson presiding over a large attendance. After a' discussion regarding the •creating of more interest in the affairs o£-the Union, Mr A. Boss moved that iMc Provincial Executive meet more regularly. Mr Boss remarked that the Jast executive meeting was held in .January, which was too long between meetings. He moved that executive meetings be held at intervals of two months.

This resolution was' carried unani-

mQggly. mm ie secretary (Mr Jas. Watson) presented the following report upon the year's operations: — During the year I have attended 62 -official meetings. The'ordinary branch with a few exceptions have not been very well attended, but this annual meetings have been the .best in point of view of attendance .and interest I have ,yet experienced. The executive meetings have raroly •dropped below an attendance of 25 out MUof JO members and many excellent and profitable discussions have been achicv•ed. Lectures to branches have been given by Mr McAlpine, Mr Webster, Gov--ernment Vet.), Mr C. M. Page (Forest -Service), J. F. Thompson, T. B. Barrel.and W. A. Tate. We are still in need ■of a resident Agricultural Inspector to give instruction during the winter meetings, aud so far I have received no information of a winter farm I hope during the winter to instruction to branches on tobacco growing. Mangold Competition—Last year’s entries constitute a record and were -almost too cumbersome to handle but for the co-operation of Mr G. A. Blake and Mr F. C. Brocket!. This year many -of the southern schools are not competing owing to a division of the Instructor’s districts. Swede Competition—A new record 'is established this year with 33 entries .and I am making special representation to the Department of Agriculture -for an officer to be responsible for the

judging. Fleece Competition—Our sincere thanks are due to Messrs Matthew s .Bros, for presenting us with the Alfred Matthew’s Memorial Cup and with the addition of this handsome trophy it is ■ disappointing that only 73 entries were received although members subscribed all the prize money. After the excellent display made at Solway Show in February and the large number that -viewed the exhibit it can only be hopped that growers will be stimulated to keen (^competition. Me™ership.—With some final . reW turns 'still to come to hand .our total is .over 1300. There is great room for improvement, however, in the sjsiem transmission of orders paid from headquarters to the Provincial Secretary. ■Rifle Competition.—We provided five out of the six teams competing this year, and Alfredton branch was successful in retaining the Shield for Wairarapa. Our President has a report to make in connection with future competitions. General—The work in the office is increasing and on four occasions I have had to engage extra assistance. Herd -testing work is also increasing on account of the formation of a Dominion 'Federation, the registration of,the Waixarapa groups and extra detail required by the Dairy Division in view of the Government subsidy. Between the .generalkactivities of our Union as embodied®'my reports from time to time, ffie insurance, herd-testing, per-' IfKonal interviews and office supervision, ‘your secretary's time is fully occupied 'to a degree that few of you perhaps realise. During the discussion that followed -the presentation of the sectary's report, very complimentary reference was ’made by several members to the ■excellent work done by Mr Watson. The secretary then presented the rannual balance sheet, which showed the Union’s financial position to be very satisfactory. Mr C. C. Jackson moved the adoption of the balance sheet, which was seconded by Mr A. Clark and carried.