FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5322, 5 September 1928, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

NGATEA BBANCH. ' MEETING ON MONDAY. S'everal months ago the provincial orgoniser ctf the, N.Z. Farmers’ Union, * visited Ngatea and persuaded the •farmers to revive the local branch, which had been defunct for ,two yW*sThe first meeting, called was on Monday evening, when, in response to 35 notice's; sent out, Messrs; J. Darlington (president), F. Speedy (secretary), G. Phillips, H. F. L&uch, ,J. Spence, E. Flavell, ,W. Phillips, and R. Burke attended. Mr Darlington expressed regret that so little interest was showhi in farmers’ problems as demonstrated , by the small attendance. ; All present were constituted the committee, five to form a quorum. The president and secretary were authorised to open an account in the Post Office Sayings Bank. BADGES FOR MEMBERS. Mr W. Phillips expressed the opinion ‘that it wo,uld assi‘t the, movement if all members of the union wore a badge. • Mr Loucih stated that badges could be procured. The secretary was authorised to make inquiries. NOXIOUS WEEDS. ? Mr Burke mentioned, that some time ago he a,nd some others had become concerned at the growth of .a weed § somewhat resembling ox-eyed daisy E growing at the, saleyards at Ngatea and at Hikutaia. At .that time it was thought advisable to ha.ve it declared a noxious;.weed, and the: Department of Agriculture was approached. The . , reply from Mr R. Denize, jT stated that the plant was “Stfajdng Mayweed” (Anthemis Cotula), or Spurious Chamomile. It was not mentioned in the Noxious Weeds Act. If it was thought necessary to have it ■declared a weed the procedure w.a,s to ask the County Council to make' application to the Minister of Agriculture to have the plant placed on the third schedule <jf the Act. When this was done it was open for the County Council to, have it declared a noxious weed within th'e district under its control. On the mo,tion Mr Burke it wa,& decided to make representations to the Coiuhty Council aS suggested. Mr Burke advocated advising the auctioneering companies concerned ,of the; proposed action, ,to enable them to take steps, to control- the w'eed he- ' fore it seeded. The pa,detacks should be harrowed so that th<e. weed could be mown. This; action was agreed to. SHEEP DIP. Mr Louch mentioned the need for a sheep dip in. the county. The <niuinber of Sheep fa the, county was. steadily increasing, and. there was no, dip within miles. It was necessary by law for. all sheep to bte dipped every ( , summer. He advocated asking the Farmers’ Auctioneering, Co. to provide a dip and drafting pen. A small charge could be made to cover interest on the outlay. It was decided to approach the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co. DISEASES OF STOCK. With a view ,to taking steps to •eradicate tuberculosis in the dairy cattle' qf the district it was decided to ask the Department of Agriculture if this disease" was op, the increase. Members expressed the opinion that it wajb’i les‘4 prevalent than it was "‘many years ago.