NEARBY FARMERS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 58, 6 September 1926, Page 3

NEARBY FARMERS

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

RECOGNITION OF WORK OF

PRESIDENT.

A hundred and fifty members of tho Nearby Farmers' Association and their wives and daughters and a number of guests, including the Hon. O. J. Hawken (Minister of Agriculture), Hon. W. Nosworthy (Postmaster-General), Messrs. W. H. Field, M.P., W. D. Lysnar, M.P., J. G. Elliott, M.P., A M. Samuel, M.P., J. S. Dickson, M.P., G. W. Forbes, M.P., H. T. Armstrong, M.P., and J. R. Hamilton, M.P., attended a complimentary dinner at Messrs. Garnblo and Creed's rooms on Saturday night. Following the loyal toast, Mr. G. Lewer proposed the toast of "The Government," coupled with the name of Mr. W. Nosworthy. . He said that the Coates Government had been instrumental in settling the problem which had caused so much trouble to farmers near the city of Wellington during the last seven years, and had thus earned their gratitude. On the eve of the departure of their Prime Miniater to take part in the Imperial Conference in London, it was only right to wish him well in his responsible mission. Mr. Lewer concluded by referring in high terms to the manner in which the member of Parliament for the district (Mr. W. H. Field) had assisted them so materially in obtaining the objects they all aimed for.

The Hon. W. Nosworthy thanked them all for the cordial manner in which the toast had been received. He felt that they realised something of the difficulties which beset a Government which endeavoured to do its best for the community. He hoped that the arrangement made with the City Corporation in regard to milk supply would be successful, and that they would prosper under it, and avoid any trouble in the future. The Prime Minister was going to attend a conference of which, he believed, the late Mr. Massey was the father, and of which he would find himself tho baby in years; but he was satisfied Mr. Coates would represent New Zealand there with credit and honour, and do his share in solving the intricacies of Empire government. « Mr. E. Beavis proposed "Parliament," coupled with tho names of members present. Messrs. Lysnar, Hamilton, Armstrong, and Samuel responded.

Mr. Beavis then proposed the toast of "The Chairman," and presented Mr. Purchase with a cheque for £130 from the near-by farmers as a "slight recognition of the great work he had done for the association. No one who knew how much the. association owed to the whole-souled endeavour put in to the efforts which had come to such a satisfactory fruition. The toast was received with cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Purchase.

Mr. Purchase tendered the thanks of his wife and himself for the gift, and detailed the history of the milk negotiations and the difficulties that had been overcome, acknowledging the obligation they were all under to the Government, and especially Mr. Nosworthy, for the material assistance rendered.

The health of Mr. Beavis, ex-presi-dent of the association, was enthusiastically honoured, and Mr. J. Maher then proposed "Primary Producers," stressing the necessity for scientific training in production, and for that reason hoped that the Agricultural College would soon be an accomplished fact. While admitting that Mr. Nosworthy had been their friend always, he praised the work accomplished by Mr. W. H. Field and Mr. T. M. Wilford in the interests of the producers.

Responding to the toast, the Hon. Mr. Hawken congratulated those present on the end of the long-standing dispute with the council. He did not find the problem of settlement of the trouble so difficult, as most of the spade work had been done by Mr. Field and those working with him in the interests of the farmers. In addition to those mentioned who had deserved the credit of the satisfactory settlement, it would not be fair to omit Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., whose help in the matter he had found of great moment. The primary producers belonged to a class they all looked to for the prosperity of the community, and he sincerely hoped that the Agricultural College would soon become an actual fact. The chairman proposed "Our Guests," coupled with the name of Mr. W. H. Field and other M.P.'s present, speaking in very complimentary terms of the help accorded the members of the association. Mr. Field spoke in the highest terms of what Mr. and Mrs. Purchase had done in the interests of the farmers over a great number of years. It was his duty to see that the farmers were not deprived of their rights, and he rejoiced with them in the fact that justice had been meted out to them by Parliament. Messrs. J. G. Elliott and G. W. Forbes also responded to the toast. Dancing, was held afterwards, and Mr. A. R. Brokenshire contributed several enjoyable items.