N.Z FARMERS’ UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14167, 18 September 1919, Page 2

N.Z FARMERS’ UNION

WALTON BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the above branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday. There was a record aU tendance. Mr J. Lawson presided. Mr Lawson’s resignation as chairman came up for* consideration. Mr Lawson explained his position and the reason of his resignation. He then retired and Mr W. Mapp was appointed chairman during the discussion. The meeting went into commute, and upon resuming it was stated that it had been decided to ask Mr Lawson to reconsider his resignation and to continue to hold office. This Mr Lawson agreed to do and -.thanked the' meeting for the confidence shown towards him. He hoped it would bear good fruit. The Union entering into politics was a sign of progress, and an awakening to Hie fact that to gel the greatest benefit it must sell Us power in the best market. That was where the Union had shown Us weakness in the past.

It was agreed that the secretary obtain from Hie provincial executive a supply of the printed forms setting out the proposed platform.

The chairman referred to the necessity for having a more descriptive guarantee of the advantages of manures as the present one sent out With eacli consignment was not sufficient to ascertain the solubility when distributed on the soil. It was a fact that only that portion of the manure which was soluble would be available for plant food. The tests should not be made with a higher percentage of acid than is present in the ordinary soil. For instance, if the solubility of the manure was tested in a solution of ten per cent, acid, and the soil receiving the manure only contained two per cent., then the manure would be useless for plant food as the soil would not dissolve it.

Mr I>. Moroney said he had arranging for a departmental officer to visit Walton for the purpose of 'analysing soil and any who sent in their names would be called on by the officer and samples of earth taken and analysed and results posted hack in due course. one dozen names were given in, well distributed over the district.

It was decided that the matter of guaranteeing dairy cows be discussed at next meeting. The following new members were proposed: Messrs J. E. Adams, A. G. Davidson, G. W. Fromm, J. T. Withers, W. Frisk, D. Moroney, H. Glendow and A. Adams.

It was decided to write to Mr Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands pointing out the urgency of the delivery by the railway, of timber for soldiers’ cowsheds.