FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1926, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

(Contributed). A meeting of tine fanners of Koiteriingi and Kokatahi districts was held at. the Kokatahi Hall on Thursday evening to form a Branch of the. West Coast Farmers’ Union. Mr L. H. .Morel was voted to the chair. Messrs

\Y. Clayton, J. Muloare, F. Baillio (of Greymontli) and I). Jcllie (of Arahura), of tRj Provincial Executive, made a special trip to take part in the initiation of the Branch and addressed the meeting. Air W. R. Harris, the Union Organiser, who has been in the district enrolling members expressed his pleasure at the keen interest farmers were taking in the Farmers’ Union movement.

ATr O. W. Ain forger moved and W. K. Afarshall seconded : “That, a branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union be formed and named the KoiferangiKokalahi Branc-h.” -Carried unanimously.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr AY. Clayton, Provincial President took the Chair and called for nominations of President. . Air W. A. Jamieson moved and Air R. Whiley seconded that: Air L. IT. Morel be President. There being no further nomination Mr Alorcl was unanimously elected. Vie? President—Air 11. Whiley, Kokatahi.

Secretary and Treasurer—Air R. Moynilian, Kokatahi. Auditor-—Air \Y. A. Jamroson. Committee—Messrs F. C. Marshall, H. IT. Alonk, 0. Ambcrgcr, W. Jones, W. A. Jamieson, P. Beslan, C. Hondo, A. Afieliel and AY. Young. It was decided to hold monthly meetings and after discussion the first six meetings to be at Kokatahi and the remainder at Koiternngi, and that meetings he held on the first Tuesday of each month.

-Mr Whiley moved and Mr Afarshall seconded that the President, Secretary and Air AY. A. Jamieson he appointed delegates to tho Annual Conference of tho AY’est Coast Farmers’ Union, to he held at Greymontli on July 3rd.—Carried.

Ales.srs Clayton, Alulcare and Jellio extended a. hearty invitation to all farmers to attend the Conference in Greymontli, as it was by farmers becoming acquainted with the Farmers’ Union work that they began to realise the benefits to be derived from a strong organisation.

Mr Harris (Organiser) said the Du mininhr Executive was tiro inouthpieoe of tlie Hew Zealand Farmers, J l.vsy had been and are a strong body working in the farmers’ interests. A number of farmers were still outside the Union, and it. was now the business of Organisers to acquaint farmers with work of tire Union, and stressed the possibilities of the Union with 80 or 90 per cent, of the farmers at the back of it. The Union were aiming at the establishment of an Agricultural Bank to provide cheaper money, and also were taking steps to procure manure at a cheaper rate. Every farmer whether a member of the Union or not would benefit, and it was up to every farmer to join the Union, make it strong and effective, sink local differences in the interest of tlie district and of the farming community of New Zealand as a whole. -Mr Harris said lie was convinced that tlie formation of this Branch was the starting point of greater prosperity and advancement for the district. One of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held in the district terminated with a vote of thanks' to the delegates of the Provincial Executive for the keen interest they have taken in furthering the interests of the farmers on the West Coast, and for tboir very instructive addresses.