FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 August 1924, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION.

SOUTH TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. The ordinary meeting of the executive was held to-day, when there were present: Messrs R. Dunn (chair), \Y T. Seed. TV. McL’Dowie, H. Hedge E J. Betts, H. A. Sutherland, S. Huston, A. J. Haseltine, A. L. Campbell, A. R. B. Pierce, A. K. Fysou (secietary), and L. H. McAloms (acting organiser). Air R. Dunn was unanimously elected to the office of president. FARM workers. The- question of men for farm work uas mentioned, and it. was stated that there was a- scarcity. Men were abie, said Mr Letts, to get better wages from public works, and would not take up farming work. Tne president said that those requiring men should communicate with the ’secretary, wlm. would send on applications to the Dominion secretary, when they would he forwarded to the proper authorities. BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS. Air heaver, Opunake, asked for information as to what is being done in connection with the clubs. The Opunake branch had offered a donation ol £5. MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. Air McAlpine explained thei method of securing orders on dairy factories. He quoted the terms of the order, which continued in force until revoked in writing. The orders were sent on to dairy companies twice a. -year, so that there would be little work for secretaries.

The president said that the best feature! would be that it made members permanent. Branches would have to create interest Tor their work, and so improve attendance at meetings. The system was approved. Mr McAlpine said he 1 wished to attend all branch meetings, so as to endeavour to increase interest in the work of the union. He said he had had a wonder-ful-response in his campaign for new members, and had so far visited Kaponga, Lowgarth, Mangatoki, Riverlea. Awatuna. and Te Kin, and had only six refusals. In ail cases but one the members had become subscribers to the farmers’ weekly f paper. GENERAL. It was resolved to ask the Dominion secretary to send a copy of the minutes of each of their meetings to the me 111:ers of the ’laranaki executive. The minutes of the annual meeting of the Dominion Executive were read )v the chairman. They dealt, inter alia, with special terms for purchases of benzine, boy immigrants,- farm labourers, timber lauds, loot and mouth disease, horticultural and poultry matters. DOMINION CONFERENCE. The president gave a short but interesting resume of the work done at the conlerence, which he considered had been a most useful meeting for the farming industry. Dealing with matters arising out of the, conference, the president spoke specially of the Taranaki remits. He said, it was one of the best conferences he had ever attended, and that theire were a. number of young men who were good brainy speakers, and were taking a great interest in the union. He found that the procedure was of the most useful character, and that the question of a political party was turned down. So long, he added, as there, was. a majority in the House opposed to that party, it would not exist. He believed, however, that all members had a perfect fight to voice their own opinions. .The remit re gorse. being added to noxious weeds was deleted, it being considered that local bodies Had power in this direction. Herd-testing.—The remit re excessive charge was amended, after hearing Mr Singleton, who convinced the members that the charge was reasonable. Dairy School.—A remit was carried that the Government be urged to establish a dairy school for research and instruction of managers. Vaginitis.—lt was decided that the Department he asked to make investigation into the matter of the failure of so many cows over the Dominion to ccnie into profit. Research. —A motion was carried urging the Department to prosecute further. Foot and Month Disease. —The need for stringent precautions was stressed, md the Department urged to take action in the matter.

Agricultural Bank. —The necessity for establishment was .strongly urged, and it was decided unanimously to support the .motion to press the matter on the Government. It was considered that the Bill ivas likely to be passed.

Air AlcAlpine endorsed all that the president had said. ITe considered'it an outstanding conference, and most striking that the number of young and able men was increasing, and many coming back who had givcm up membership. He said this great result was due almost solely to the individual and outstanding personality of the president,'Mr Poison, who-, was the head officer of the 'union.

In reply to a ouestion, Mr McAlnino said that Mr Poison was made an honorary member of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, and had expressed himself in favour of some scheme which would bring all primary produce!/ together into one united whole. The chairman also referred to that question, and said that he was in favour of amalgamation. Federation, he considered, would not suffice.

The discussion then, terminated, mid the meeting adjourned.