FARMERS' UNION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 65, 17 April 1945, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION

RANGITAIKI PLAINS BRANCH

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT

At the annual meeting of the Rangitaiki Plains Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union the retiring Mr J. Mullins, gave the following annual report for the year ended:— It is my privilege and pleasure to present the sth annual report oni the. activities of your branch. The small increase in attendance at meetings has been maintained during. the year. f but I feel that much more active interest should be taken by members in their Union, branch. The various matters receiving attention have included the following:—• Local Body election; campaign. Drainage Question, Rural Mail D.P.A. branch formation proposed Air Board, additional Stock Inspector, Grass Seed prices.- Mr G. R. Wilson was reappointed as your representative on the local Rehabilitation. Committee. At the commencement of the season the dairy farmer and worker received increases but these Avill be again offset to a certain extent by the recent general increase in wages to all industrial workers; this onward and upward trend in costs of. production must inevitably act detrimentally to the interests of the primary producer when, we have to> again compete on the open markets •with our produce. Realising that all these increased costs must be born by the return from the products of the soil ? the need for a United farmers' organisation based on soundpracticable working methods is of paramount importance and . the Farmers' federation proposals should be carefully considered by your dewith that objective in. view, to ensure the nett return for our primary products in post-war years, will be commensurate with other sections of the community for equal services rendered.

Two matters should be born in» mind are the withholding of a portion of bulk payments for our produce and where he money is coming from to cover the cost of the recent increases to dairy factory workers. The war -in. Europe appears to be. reaching its climax and hostilities may cease sooner than, the duty of. the farmer then becomes one of increased food production for the population, of the I devastated countries, he has every ; reason to be proud of his war-time | record of production in spite of the labour difficulties. I take this opportunity of thanking all who have assisted in the branch affairs during the past year, especially mentioning the assistance rendered by Mr Dunning your representative on the Auckland Executive who has done his utmost to keep all the local branches posted on the latest decisions of the Auckland Executive, by personal visits. The new president elected was Mr J. and the secretai*y Mr A. K. Day.