FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 April 1935, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

MASTERTON BRANCH.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Masterton branch of the Farmers’ Union was held! yesterday, Mr J. M. James (chairman) presiding over a fair attendance. Making his report as chairman on the activities of the year, Mr James said that unfortunately the depression still affected their industry. Wool had sold this year at one-half of last year’s prices and the price for butterfat was still around 9d, which showed a loss to the dairy farmer. Various schools of thought offered different solutions, amongst them guaranteed prices and costless credit. The principal objective of the Union during the depression had been the lowering of all forms of cost to the producer, of which the main one was interest charges. The raising of prices for produce was not in their own hands, unless they adopted one or other of the schemes he had mentioned. Personally he saw considerable difficulties in the wav. The Union had worked consistently for reductions in interest charges, Tates, power and other charges and had met with a considerable measure of success.

Any advantages to be expected from the Mortgage Corporation and the Mortgagors Final Adjustment Acts were not yet evident until both measures had been better understood and tried out. “Locally,” said Mr James, “the Union has had a busy year in attending to the requirements of grain growers, the rabbit menace, transport difficulties and a big effort to help the Y.M.C.A. In all 84 meetings in connection with the Union’s activities have been held through the Provincial office in Masterton. Another campaign for the enrolment of members in the Wairarapa has just been completed by Mr Neiderer, as a Tesult of which our membership lias increased by 644 and the total financial membership in the Wairarapa is now 1100. Although the expense of enrolling is considerable in the first year, for succeeding years the income of the Union will be greatly benefited.” Touching on produce prices, Mr James said the sheep farmer had maintained a fair income apart from his wool, and it was hoped that the dairy industry would benefit from the establishment of the new Dairy Hoard. The vexed question of meat quotas and levies had been extensively discussed through the Union and of the two evils the quota had been supported instead of the levy. In concluding, Mr James urged all farmers to support their Union and to recognise that a reflection on the Union was a reflection on farmers themselves. The Women’s Division, the chairman said, was entitled to great credit and applause for doing most of the work in promoting the successful picnic held recently at Solway. He hoped that next year’s picnic would be still more successful.

Mr James thanked members of the Union for their support throughout the year and particularly thanked the secretary, Mr James Watson, for carrying out his duties so ably and faithfully. He thought they could honestly say to Mr Watson “Well done.” (Applause). Messrs J. M. James, W. H. Buick and H. Morrison were appointed to confer with representatives of the Masterton A. and P, Association and Employers ’ Association regarding the appointment of a representative of employers on the Wairarapa Secondary Education Board. The sitting representative is Mr E, J. Wright, who is eligible for re-election.

The Eketahuna branch was congratulated upon the fine performance of its team in winning the C.A.C. Shield in the recent New Zealand Farmers’ Union competition. Major F. G. Hume, secretary of Flock House, wrote stating that the position regarding trainees at Flock House had much improved during the last two months, and there were at present 43 boys in residence. From the applications in hand, it appeared likely that sufficient trainees would be forthcoming to keep the hostel fairly full for the present year. “Earlier in the year,” Major Hume added, “the Unemployment Board granted a considerable increase in their subsidy towards the maintenance of New Zealand boys, and this, with the grants from the National War Funds Council and Patriotic Associations now covers the cost. All that is roquired from parents is to see that a reasonable outfit of clothes is supplied.” The secretary was instructed 1 to obtain specific information as to the number of boys constituting a full complement at Flock House.