Farmers’ Union Meeting

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 33, 7 May 1937, Page 5

Farmers’ Union Meeting

A meeting of the Kaitaia branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Thursday (yesterday) when there was a good attendance of members, Mr. T. S. Houston presiding. Union Affairs Various questions affecting the Union’s organisation were discussed in committee as also was the position of the “B” radio stations. The following resolution was released for publication : “That nothing should be done by the Government which will in any way detract from the powers of the “B” radio stations to give expression to public opinion. That this branch urges the Auckland executive of the Union to take a firm stand on this question and assures the executive of the fullest possible co-opera-tion.” W.E.A. Groups Discussion took place on the function of the Workers’ Educational Association study groups among members, but owing to the scattered nature of the members’ homes this was not deemed as possible of carrying into effect, but if any number of members living reasonably close together, care to form a group, then the branch would be prepared to assist in supplying full particulars of the movement. Compulsory Unionism A very lengthy discussion took place in committee on the advisability of supporting compulsory membership of all farmers to the Farmers’ Union, the' opinion of members being very divided on this question, though the weight of opinion was in favour of compulsory unionism. Guaranteed Price and Extra Costs Although farmers were receiving more for their butterfat supplies this season than last season, members were generally of the opinion that this increase was more than offset by the increased costs especially for those who had to employ labour. The increase in the dairy factories alone would amount to Id. per lb. butterfat. One member said that his returns were £9O above that of last season but his expenses were £230 ahead. Study of Monetary Reform It being realised by members that there was urgent need for monetary reform, if the farmer and all other sections of the community were to receive a reasonable standard of living, that the world’s production could give, it was decided to form a social credit study circle. A committee consisting of Messrs. A. G. Bell, A. Bell, R. H. Michie and the president was appointed to make the necessary arrangements to give effect to this resolution. Not only will Union members be invited to join in this study, but all interested persons. MANCHESTER UNITY NOTES At the last meeting of the Loyal Kaitaia Lodge every officer was in attendance, and a good crowd of members assisted with the initiation of three more candidates into the order. It was decided to finalise arrangements for the intended visit to Kaikohe in June, at the next meeting. At the social end of the evening members wholeheartedly entered into the spirit of the entertainment arranged by the committee. Supper was served by Sisters Watts and Fox. The winners of the competitions were : Musical chair waltz Sister Wallace and Bro. Hicks; Broom stick—Bro. Cowie ; Gift competition —Sistei: M. Main. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 11th first nomination of officers. Trees to be Planted in School Grounds To commemorate Coronation Day it has been arranged for kauri trees to be planted in the Kaitaia school grounds. The children will assemble on the morning of Coronation Day, and after the planting they will be dismissed, the committee considering that it would not be advisable, in view of the infantile paralysis, to keep the children together for too lengthy a period. * * * * Kaitaia’s Rainfall April’s rainfall for this year in Kaitaia was well above the average for that month, 6.99 inches of rain falling as against an average of 4.24 inches. Rain fell on 20 days, the heaviest being 2.38 inches on the 16th. The first week of May has also been a wet week.

KAITAIA. GOLF liß The Kaitaia Golf Club’s comperitic.n for .Saturday, May Bth, will con-.-■ft M’ a bogey match, the draw for which will be posted at the clubhouse on tiiat date. The Flag ma "i played on Saturda* last was won bt Mr. A. C. Smeaton, vdio carried the flag to the nineteenth fairway. The Coronation Day fixture is a teams match between teams chosen by each vice-president. Play will commence at 12 noon, when two matches will be played over 18 holes, fourball matches being played in the afternoon. Entrance fees are 1/- per player, half of which is to be given as the club’s contribution to the King George V Memorial Fund. The teams are : Kelly’s Team : W. Christensen, Waddell, Hoskin, McWatters, Snelling, Dyer, Kelly (captain), Renton, Lane, Gunson, Newman, Young, Horsley, D. W. Barry, J. O’Sullivan. Stanton’s Team : J. B. Reynolds, Stanton (captain), Wilkinson, H. McDonald, Parker, Smeaton, Taaffe, Rowe, N. McDonald, Vaughan, Rtlssell, J. Madden, Stone, Cade, James. Any members unable to take part in the match are asked to advise their respective captains as soon as possible. KAITAIA LADIES’ GOLF CLUB This weekend the Kaitaia Ladies’ Golf Club will hold a four ball best ball match, the following being the draw : Mrs. Walter Christensen and Miss Lawes play Misses M. Urlich and C. Wilkinson. Mrs. W. Snelling and Mrs. Rule play Misses Smith and K. Urlich. Mi’s. Smeaton and Miss Henehan play Mrs. Watts and Miss Pile. Misses Osborne and Ron Wilkinson play Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Corskie. Mrs. King and Miss J. Topia, opponents not yet finalised. On Coronation Day, Wednesday, a match will be played between the vicepresidents’ teams. On Saturday, 15th, the first match for the Captain’s Trophy will take place. Intending players are requested to place their names on the list in the clubhouse on Saturday, Bth (tomorrow). ACCIDENT AT WAIPAPAKAURI At Waipapakauri last Sunday, while going along the road in front of a motor cycle, a horse ridden by Mr. A. Ford of Awanui got out of control and backing into the cycle threw its rider, besides causing injury to the cyclist, Mr. Peter Mihaojevich of Lake Ohia and his wife, who was riding in the pillion. No one was seriously injured, and after attention were able to proceed to their homes. The bike was rather extensively damaged.

THE SHOOTING SEASON The weather has been rather rough in the North for the first few days of the shooting season and few limit bags have been reported, although the limit this season is smaller than in previous years In favoured localities duck is said to be fairly plentiful while there is quite a number of pheasants about, but the birds are i airly wild and the area open for sportsmen is to an extent restricted, as a number of farms are this year dosed to the man with the dog and gun. Solar Eclipse Expedition On Wednesday, 18th May, the expedition that will be proceeding from New Zealand to the Phoenix Islands to observe the total eclipse of the sun on June Bth will leave Auckland. The members of the party from this district are Mr. C. B. Michie, who leads the party, Dr. J. Rule, Mr. W. Rose and Mr. W. F. Berry. * * V * W.D. Card Afternoon Yesterday, Thursday, a flag 500 afternoon, organised by the Women’s Division, was held in Kaitaia, the hostesses for the day being Mesdames W. Parker and L. L. Pettit. The leading players were Mesdames A. G. Bell, F. Puckey and W. Marsh. The travelling prizes went to Mesdames H. R. Watts, Wiggins and F. Mitchell

and the consolation awards to Mesdames W. Parker, L. L. Pettit and Miss Wyatt. Miss Wyatt also won the competition.