N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 71, 28 February 1918, Page 1

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Sub-Provincial District. Executive Meeting. A meeting of the Thames Valley Sub-provincial district executive was held in Morrins ville on Friday afternoon, Mr L. H. McAlpine (president) occupied the chair, and Messrs C. Smith (Walton), F. W. Walters (Springdale), F. 0. Hansen (Waitoa), J. B. Thomas (Waihou), S. W. Whyte (Okauia), P. R. Hubbard (Komata), A. J. Thomas (Hikutaia), H. A. Mills (Turua), J. I. Whitehouse (Matatoki), W. H. Allen (Patetere), W. K. McLean (Netherton), and J. F. Mayn (Patetonga) were present. FARMERS' AUCTIONEERING COMPANY. The question of the election of a director to the Farmers' Auctioneering company was raised by Mr F. W; Walters, who suggested that the district was worthy of representation; that the election should be on the lines of a member for a particular district. He proposed that Mr J. B. Thomas be nominated. Mr Mills suggested that a man should be nominated from the Hauraki Plains. However, after it had been stated the district stood a better chance of getting representation by nominating one man only, he said he was prepared to solidly support MiThomas. The nomination of Mr Thomas was unanimously agreed upon. It was also decided that shareholders be circularised; it to be pointed out that the present directors were all living adjacent to Hamilton, and it was time the other districts were represented! by local men. OPENING FUNCTION. The chairman informed the executive that there had been ostentatious opening functions in connection with the other subprovincial areas, and he was of the opinion that a function should be organised for the Thames Valley Sub-provincial district. He did not advocate great expense, but something that would advertise the branch and the union. Mr McLean said the other districts had been well pushed off, and it was now known that they were not successes. It was usual to open a bridge when it was finished and ready for traffic, and he thought that the function proposed would be better if held after the area was properly organised. The farmer had to be taught the ethics of unionism, and needed the objects fully explained. He would like to see organisation pushed on before any opening function was held. The chairman challenged Mr McLean's statement that some sub-provincial districts had failed. If success for the Farmers' union was greater membership then all the areas had been successfully launched. Waikato had trebled its membership, Te Awamutu had doubled. Mistakes had been made, as they would always be made in connection with new moves. He explained that the more recent sub-areas had profited by the mistakes, for, whereas it cost about £240 for organisation in the Waikato, and nearly £1 per head at Te Awamutu, the King Country had been organised at a cost of less than 10s per head. The latter had benefited by the experience of the others. It was decided that a series of picnics be held throughout the district, one to be held at Annandale on a date to be arranged. The matter of organising and choosing dates was left to the executive, who could add to its number if desirable. SECRETARY AND ORGANISER. The chairman said the executive had to consider the appointment of a secretary. In answer to Mr Thomas he stated that the other areas paid £3OO salary, provided office, typist, motor car and travelling expenses up to £l5O per year. In answer to members he said that a typist was indispensable, inasmuch that if the secretary had to write all the letters required be would not be organising. He considered that £BOO would cover the cost of car and first year's salaries, etc.

Mr J. B. Thomas said it was easy to incur liabilities, but he would like to know if all members of branches intended to continue membership at the increased rate. Mr McAlpine said when the Thames Valley scheme was first mooted there was an approximate membership of 400 (excluding Matamata), and it now totalled about 700. With one exception the branches he had addressed were unanimous in favor of making the annual subscription £l. He contemplated that the membership would be raised to 1000 within six months. The motion that a secretary be appointed at a salary of £3OO per annum was proposed. An amendment that the salary be £350 per year was defeated by the chairman's vote. The motion was carried. The chairman was asked to retire whilst further matters were discussed. During his absence members spoke of the desirability of securing his services as secretary and organiser if possible, but at the same time it was recognised that it was not a good personal business proposition, as | far as Mr McAlpine was concerned, that they were offering him. However, they had seen the mistakes made by others, and recognised that it was most imperative that a man well-known and full of the purpose in view should be appointed. Mr McAlpirie's heart was in the work. t He had instituted the scheme in the district and they would like him to see it through. The executive would be relieved of a great deal of anxiety if he would accept the position. It was unanimously decided to ask Mr McAlpine to accept the position in the interests of unionism. Mr McAlpine, upon being called in, said he had been approached on the matter by a member of the executive and had declined. He was not seeking the position. He had worked solely in the interests of the Farmers' union, and his reputation to a certain extent was at stake. Therefore, he was most anxious that the Thames Valley Sub-provincial districtshould get a good start. After re-considering the matter he would accept the position recognising the great importance of success being gained in the first year. He would do his very best because his whole heart was in the work. Consequent on the appointment of the president as secretary it became necessary to elect a president for*: the remainder of the year. M?<F. C. Hansen (Waitoa) was appointed. NEXT MEETING. It was decided, on account of the Matamata show beh\g held j on March 21st, that the n*#t meeting be on Tuesday, Ma.-ch' 12th. THANKS. Before the meeting concluded, Mr Mayn referred to the great amount of voluntary work Mr .McAlpine had done during the past few months in the interest, of the area and the Farmers' j union. He had been indefatig- ! able in his efforts which had been imminently successful, and. he was worthy of the most heartfelt, thanks of the farmers of the' whole district. He had pleasure , in moving a vote of thanks to Mr McAlpine. The motion was carried by acclamation.