N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17384, 21 April 1928, Page 10

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

WOMEN'S DIVISION. CAMBRIDGE BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Women's Division of the Cambridge branch of the Farmers' Union was held on Friday afternoon, there being a good attendance of members. Mrs R. Feisst (president) occupied the chair. The president, in presenting the annual report, stated that the branch had earned the distinction of being the first formed in the Auckland province. The year had closed with a membership of over 40, and there was still great soopo for increased membership in this district, and it should be the early duty of the incoming committee to extend the membership. The branch was successful in an appeal for assistance for the distressed Ngaroma settlers. The initiation of a branch library proved very popular. Generous response to the appeal for books made it possible to send a largo collection to the Dominion Book Club, after retaining a wide selection for the local library. Another activity of the branch was the securing of the services of the Government Poultry Expert (Mr Jarrett). An important remit was sent forward by the branch, bearing on the char-acter-building side of education, and was given every support by the Dominion Conference. For the purpose of supporting the Headquarters Community Chest a most successful dance was held during (the year. The net proceeds amounted to £l3, of which £lO was allocated to headquarters. A lecture and demonstration on life-saving and resuscitation was given by Mr Frank Green. The branch is pleased to note the increasing practical activities of the Division over the Dominion, and looks forward to greater progress in the Auckland province in the future. The bush nursing scheme is proving itself of great assistance to the less fortunately situated women in the baekblocks. The increasing number of housekeepers (some 12 or more), as now employed by the Division, is proof of the popularity of this form of assistance. In conclusion, the branch wished to take the opportunity of thanking its fellow officers and members for their support, the success of the branch being largely attributable to their wholehearted co-operation. They also wished to thank the local Farmers' Union and the press for services rendered during the past year.

Balance-Sheet.

The balance-sheet showed receipts for the year £24 9s 6d, and expenditure £2l 16s lOd, leaving a credit balance of £2 12s Bd. This was considered highly satisfactory. The report and balancesheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted: — ! President (Mrs R. Feisst (re-elected); I vice-presidents, Mrs Wallace, Mrs Hennie; secretary, Mrs A. Christie (re-elected); committee, Mesdames Simpson, Leaning, Cooper, Head, and Elliott. The following new members were elected:—Mesdames D. Macky, D. W. Ariell, 5. D. Lowe, and T. F. Richards. General Business. The president brought forward the matter of giving assistance to the Ngaroma settlers, and it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to write asking if assistance would be needed this winter. \ letter was received from the Dominion secretary with regard to the expenses of delegates attending the conference. The writer pointed out that delegates had previously paid their own expenses, and it was thought that though this was advisable in the early stage of the Division's existence a better "plan would be for all delc- • gates to 'send in the probahle amount of their railway fares, and by dividing the sum total an average could be struck. ... • It was resolved to write stating thai although this branch thought of providing an entertainment to defray their delegate's expenses, they would agree to this suggestion. Mrs E Dunstan tendered her resignation, as she is leaving the district. The resignation was accepted with regret. \ hearty vote of thanks was accorded the past year's officers for good services rendered during the Ycur. Special mention was made of the secretary, Mrs Christie, who had carried out" her duties in an efficient and courteous manner. At the close of the meeting Mrs T. F Richards addressed the gathering in supoprt of the formation of a Mothers' League. Mrs Richards said it had been run before in connection with churches, but the idea at present was to make it undenominational. Cambridge was not large enough .Jo run two such unions, and she thought it might be possible to run the league in conjunction with this branch. Mrs Richards gave an outline 0 the objects of the league, and it was resolved that the branch take over the Papers in connection with the league for consideration. >,„„„.,, Mrs Richards was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for her address.

MATAMATA BRANCH.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly mceling of the Matamata branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union was held on Wednesday. In. the absence of the president, Mr 11. Rollett, owing to illness, Mr T. Prowse presided over a good attendance. The question of the date of the annual meeting was under review, and it was resolved that the function be a combined social and smoke concert. Members and the secretary of the Auckland executive will be invited to address the meeting. An endeavour will also be made to obtain the services of Mr P. H. Judd and Mr Snell to give the farmers further information concerning the progress of the pigmarketing scheme and the rural credits system. Referring to the latter Mr D. B. Higgins (Okauia) drew attention to the fact that under the Act any reputable person could act as guarantor for a borrower. This was one of the points to which the recent commission attached great importance. The speaker understood that this portion of the legislation was not being acted upon by the district boards, who required a financial company's guarantee. Mr J. W. Simpson (Matamata) agreed with the previous speaker's remarks, and considered that a father in a good financial position should be able to act as guarantor for his son. If Mr Snell is able to attend the annual meeting the points raised will be placed before him. Arbitration Act. Mr Higgins stated that he had been informed that the Farmers' Union is

endeavouring to get the farming community placed under the Arbitration Act The speaker did not agree with the proposal, and pointed out the defects" as they affected the dairying industry. He considered that the union were on the wrong track. Other members voiced their opposition to any legislation in the direction mentioned, and the secretary was instructed to write to headquarters in order to ascertain the true facts of the position. It was stated that possibly it was the Labourers' Union which is making the first move, but in any case the branch was strongly opposed to having the farmers brought under the Arbitration Court. Country Political League. A circular from the Country Political League was before the meeting. The circular stated that a meeting convened by Mr R. H. Feisst (Cambridge) would be held at Matamata shortly, and also gave a rough outline or the party's platform. No action was taken. In reply to a question by Mr A. Bowler, the secretary stated that no reply has been received from the provincial executive regarding increasing the branch's allocation of 3s per member to 7s 6d. —The matter will be brought up at the annual meeting.

NEWSTEAD BRANCH. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The 11th annual meeting of the Ncwstead branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the hall on Thursday, Mr Thorpe presiding over a good attendance of members. The chairman gave a brief resume of the more important business transacted during the year. The branch had certainly justified its existence, and he considered that such an organisation was necessary for the progress and welfare of the district and also for the producers generally. The report and balance-sheet, which showed 31 financial members and a credit balance of £9 2s 7d, were carried unanimously.

The secretary received high praise for his work during the year. The following were the officebearers elected for the coming year:— Chairman, Mr A. J. Davison; vicechairman, Mr W. Baker; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. M. Glen; delegate to sub-provincial executive, Mr, John Mackay; auditor, Mr A. Baker;' delegate to annual conference, Mr John Mackay; branch executive, Messrs 11. Moreland, G. Seabrook, and R. Levis. A hearty vote of thanks to the retiring chairman was carried by acclamation.