SHANNON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 119, 18 April 1940, Page 8

SHANNON

SHANNON, April 16. At the annual meeting of the Shannon branch of the Farmers’ Union there was a small attendance. The president (Mr S. W. Barber) referred to the death of the : late Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and the meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect. A letter was received from the Minister of Marketing (Hon. W. Nash) in connection with certain statements made by the Minister in a radio talk. In reference to certain aspects of the operations of the Levin Dairy Com- | pany, which were brought to his notice, the Minister stated that his reference in the radio talk lo the payouts of companies was intended lo be general and could not reasonably liavo been extended to include references to the particular circumstances, of the operation of individual companies, j Mr Nash pointed out that the circumstances of neighbouring companies as they affect butterfat payout were fully explained and dealt with at the annual meetings of companies, where all these matters wore under review. In presenting a report of the activities of the branch over the past year Mr Barber extended thanks to all those loyal members who have supported the branch and assisted in making the' year such a successful and interesting one. The balance sheet revealed a credit of £l2 18s 4d. The election of officers resulted :—President, Mr L. Garter; vicepresidciits, Messrs R. E. Downes and R. Mullins; secretary, Mr C. Guerin; delegate to the executive, Mr G. G. Mitchell senior president of the Young Farmers’ Club, Mr S. W. Barber; delegates to the provincial executive conference, the president and Mr G. G. Mitchell. In icferenco to a petition which has been circulated among ratepayers in the llorowhenua county calling for a considerable reduction of rates, and to ensure that this reduction would be maintained in future years, it was resolved before taking action in the matter to invite Cr L. 11. Best, member for the Tokomaru Riding on the council, to address the next meeting of the branch in order to clarify certain aspects of the proposal. Mrs F. Cook presided at the annual meeting of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. In reviewing the past year’s activities Mrs Cook stated that they had lost four members, while a number of new members had joined. Mrs Campbell presented the balance-sheet, which disclosed a satisfactory credit, and a vote of thanks was passed to her. Mrs R. Barber (housekeeping secretary) said that there had been no housekeepers here this year. Several applications had come in but they hail not been able to Till them. Mrs J. A. Easton j on behalf of the members thanked Mrs ] Cook for all she had done. Two nominations for the office of president were received, whereupon Mrs Cook asked that she be allowed to retire in favour of Mrs S. W. Barber, who was duly declared elected. Other officers are: Vice-presidents, Mesdames Cook and Mullins; secretary, Mrs J. D. Campbell; housekeeping secretary, Mrs Cook; advisory to housekeeping secretary, Mrs Best; treasurer, Mrs C. Guerin ; delegates to quarterly provincial meeting at Levin, Mosdames Barber, Campbell and Cook; Press correspondent, Mrs 11. G. Long-Ward. A resolution was passed ; that in view of the many calls on the public each member be responsible for paying into the funds either by contribution or raising the money individually, the sum of j 5s for the year apart from the subscription j fee. The result-of the bloom competition was: Mrs Mullins 1, Mrs Campbell 2.1 The business concluded, supper was set : out on long tables, and members of the I Farmers’ Union joined the ladies at the festive board to continue the celebrations of the 7th birthday party of the women’s branch, which had first been kept by holding an afternoon party previously. Mrs S. W. Barber and Mrs J. A. Easton were the hostesses.