DAIRY FARMERS' UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15183, 8 March 1923, Page 2

DAIRY FARMERS' UNION.

RfIOTUKSAOHO BRANCH. The monthly meetings of the Motumaoho branch of the Dairy Farmers; Union were recommenced on Saturday last, after an interval of some months during the busy part of the season. Mr B. W. Barlow presided. There was a fair attendance of members. Correspondence was read from the secretary of the Thames Valley Board relating to the charges for farm power and an alteration in the schedule, wherebv a small motor of 1 h-p. could be installed at a rental of £lO per annum, being liable to a graduated increase on a basis of butter-fat produc. tion. —Mr" Ferguson pointed out that while a temporary benefit would result, from this plan nevertheless, as the production grew, a stage would be reached at which it was possible that the man with the 1-h.p. motor would be paying as much as a man with a 2-li.p. plant. Mr Ferguson had already suggested to the Board a more equitable plan, striking a middle course and Subject to an increase of production.—lt was decided to write again to the Board suggesting further consideration of Mr Ferguson's plan. The county clerk, in answer to a request from the branch secretary concerning the metalling of Karanui and Dodds roads before the winter set in, stated that, funds, permitting, the work would be carried out.

Mr Stark suggested that the Motumaoho branch should make common oause with those districts which were being organised to" resist the establishment of the Thames harbour scheme, and that an effective organisation of the surrounding district should be undertaken by the branch.—After some discussion this was decided upon. Discussion of the mode of annual entertainment''during the winter was deferred until next meeting, yyhen the details of the social or smoke concert will be decided upon.

Mr Grace then addressed the members, traversing the work of the Union during the interval which had elapsed since his last visit to Motumaoho, showing a considerable increase in membership and usefulness. Outlin. ing the scheme of land finance which the D.F.U. were advocating for the assistance of deserving settlers and the general betterment of conditions, the speaker also dealt with the dairy pool, stressing the need for co-opera-tive marketing and united action by dairy companies both in regard to export and local sales. Mr Grace expressed the view . that dairy farmers should make themselves thoroughly conversant with the provisions Of the Act, as it was a proposal calculated to affect them and theirs. Consequently any ideas relating to the improvement of the measure should be brought to light as soon as possible. The speaker traversed the efforts of the Union to reconstruct the Packing Co. and to establish a board of control, pointing out tlie possibility of still being able to prevent the oontrol of the bacon industry from drifting into the hands of proprietary Arms.