Farmers’ Conference

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 50, 28 May 1948, Page 5

Farmers’ Conference

Bay Of'Plenty Province Shows Good Progress

Bay of Plenty Province of Federated Farmers of N.Z. (Inc) now has over 1400 members representing nearly 100 per cent increase over last year’s figures, accoi'ding to Mr A. L. Friis’s presidential report to the provincial conference at Opotiki last Friday. Mr Friis presided over 38 delegates, representing 14 branches from Katikati to Te Kaha. The president asked members to stand in two minutes silence as a mark of respect to Mr C. O. Riddall, who had died recently.®

Mr Friis said the remarkable increase in membership could be largely attributed to the activities, of Mr Allen the Dominion Organiser, and to Mr' McKinney, Provincial Organiser. Mr Vosper returned to his area after Easter under the same conditions as were imposed on Mr Allen. His work had been in the main unconnected with enrolments, and he had undertaken organising work of a different category. Mr Vosper was wholly responsible for the arrangements in connection with the farm schools, and had been helping in the establishment of Provincial headquarters. All arrangements for the farm schools were now finalised, and the president stressed the necessity of having a large attendance at all the schools, to ensure the success of this enterprise. Should this venture prove successful further arrangements would be made from time to time to keep the interest of the branch members at a high level, by means of films and illustrated lectures at their regular meetings.

The executive, in view of the financial and numerical strength of organisation, decided to establish the province on a sound and secure basis, and to that end had recently acquired office accommodation and equipment. Whilst the cost of doing so might seem large, Mr Friis pointed'out that it was non-recurring, and would be an asset of the Province. It was hoped that all members will make full use of the facilities offered.

The financial position of the Province, having due regard for all the circumstances, could be regarded as being highly satisfactory. Cartage of Pigs The executive had taken successful action to prevent unauthorised increases in cartage rates on pigs in the Tauranga County area and was taking action to oppose an increase when the application for such use was withdrawn by the carriers, Mr Friis continued. On the matter of refunds to farmers for unauthorised overcharges it had been agreed that refunds would be made to all farmers concerned on application.

Week-End Stock Train Due to the efforts of the executive, a special week-end stock train service had been instituted, but it had not yet been able to do the same in regard to manure. However, the president said he was confident that this would not be long delayed, Waikato had been fortunate enough to have had that service instituted. Mr Wells, chairman of the manure committee, was making strenuous efforts to collect all the necessary information. Petrol Rationing

With the introduction of benzine rationing and its attendant anomalies, the secretary, Mr Parker, was inundated with personal requests to have these corrected and in all cases was successful in getting them wholly or partially remedied, whilst by insistent pressure by provincial and head office the ten miles limit was favourably reviewed. Fertiliser and Machinery

Mr Wells, chairman of the Manure Committee, reported on the position of the supply to Bay of Plenty and the special trains and boats. There was still 15,000 tons to be delivered on this season’s orders. It was suggested to plan well ahead for next year and resolved that a conference of all interested parties with the assistance of the Waikato Province should go into all questions governing manure deliveries. The meeting was advised that special manure trains could leave Auckland tomorrow if the carriers would guarantee to lift manure on Sunday. Farmers who had not yet forwarded their requirements of farm machinery to the Action Committee were urged to do so without delay. Remits Adopted

Remits from Te Puke, that County Councillors be paid £2 2s per day plus mileage, also that farmers’ benzine licenses be altered from monthly to six monthly periods, were adopted.

Election of Officers President, Mr A. S. Friis, re-elect-ed; vice-presidents, Messrs H. S. Holmes and S. A. Wells; executive committee, president and vice-presi-dents, plus one member from each branch for each 100 members in branch; auditor, Mr M. Eagles, of Tauranga; delegates to Dominion conference, Messrs Wells, Robins, Friis and Holmes.