FARMERS’ UNION

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 10, 14 March 1938, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

Union was oil fice on Saturday iuc*r«iii^^S^pfesicliair. * The minutes of meeting were • read and • Confirmed. The president then read the annual report; and the balance-sheet was. presented by the secretary. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, without discussion. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted:— President 1 ; 3lr. A. Jv Alartin (reelected). i Vice-presidents; 31essrs. R. D. Looney and E. Thompson. ’ Committee: 3!essrs. G. F. Joblin,. 31: Stevenson, J. L. Holman, W. GLolvve, J. Barbour, H. Bridge (with, power to add). Delegates to •Sub-Provincial Conference.: 31essrs. R. Looney, E. Thompson, J. L. Holman, and G. 1 - Joblin, H. Bridge and AY. G. Lowe. Delegates to Sub-Provincial 3ieetings: 3lessrs. E. Thompson, R. Looney and G. F. Job!in. Secretary and treasurer: 3!r. r l. H. Pearson. Auditor; M'r. J. T. 3lerry. On - the motion c'f the president, seconded by 31r. Joblin, it was decided to forward a letter of thanks to the auditor tor his services. Pig; Marketing Peal. A letter was received from the Pig 3larketing Association on the matter of a bobby-calf pool and stating thata referendum was to be held in' connection with the pool. —The president said lie would make inquiries about,' the matter when in Auckland. 1 lie secretary said he was conversant with the proposals aiid explained that the bobby calf business was to ue organised on a Dominion basis. 3!r. Joblin said Opotiki calves should go to- Gisborne. —3 Lem hers generally considered the present system of calf-ooi-lection to be responsible for a great deal of. cruelty. Royal Show.—A letter was receiveel re the Sydney Royal Shew and the sending to Sydney of a team of'4 New Zealand steer and buck-jumping, inters. It was stated that the tests would take place at Gisborne during the present month. The return transport to Sydney plus £3O to each- ruler would he paid.—Members considered that there is a number of good riders in the Opotiki district and suggested that full publicity should be given to the matter so that young men from the Opotiki district would have a chance to show their ability. Remits. —The asked for remits for the Annual Sub-Provincial Conference, hut none . were brought forward. Cream Stands on Roads.—Mr. Holman referred tot the question of cream-can stands on the roadsides ami said a discussion had taken place at Tauranga, where it was suggested, they constituted a danger and should only lie erected by permission of the council. He considered that the position shouldi be left as it was and no interference take place.—The presi- * dent said that county councils could not give permission to anyone to put obstructions on the readway. He considered that it would bo better to let “sleeping dogs lie”. Membership. —During a discussionon membership the president said -> that the membership of the Union ih 4. the Bay ol Plenty had increased jOy ,; 300 during the year. There had ue. organiser in the district, tor aj_ longoV'* time and he considered the would he largely increased much effort. The future were very bright. d;' Thanks. —Tlu* president moved that; appreciation of the . services press be placed on record. by acclamation. .gfvldCA Mr. 1L Looney moved ofiHjiejuilf of 1 I : '■*<» y.fen&ii*1 V« v the executive and member]j,Vp|^y' appreciation of tlie to the Farmers’ Union district and the Bay of Plemyx fie placed on record. Seconded by Mr. Holman and carried by acclamation. In reply 3lr. 3lartiu said he got a, y , good deal pi; education out of his po- • sition. ’ - ANNUAL REPORT In submitting his annual report for f

1 tjie.'year, the president, Air. A. E. Martin said: — *' I again state that jfour ex-ecutive-ihas been most active in Union 'matters -and of farmers’ interests generally.;/ .. Subjects which have received- at-.„Vtentio-tt during the year are: — j Farm “t|psts in relation to the Guar- ; Pnfce. The Auckland I’reez‘\Vtakers’ Dispute. The extension of the East Coast Main Trunk llailway to. Opotiki. Afforestation in thp Opotiki district. Broadcasting by “B” stations. The Compensating Price Campaign. The had state of the ‘ Main Highway to Taneatua. Transport Affairs. Your executive is still of the opinion that the Committee’s report on the ‘Guaranteed Price for dairy produce and* its recommendations and its figures should he published. However we have had to be satisfied with the statements made during the progress of the Government’s Marketing Bill, but it would be interesting to learn just what the committee recommended as a just figure for payment as aguaranteed price. The claim for the ro-affiorestation of the denuded areas of bush lauds in this district was made to the Minister by a deputation which waited upon him. and we have been requested by the Mihistpr to supply him with particulars of lands considered suitable for re-afforestation. Large areas however are required to warrant the Forestry Department undertaking such work. In regard to the extension of the railway to Gpotiki it is satisfactory to learn that the Prime Minister's •promise is to he fulfilled. Me aie .now' looking forward to a commencement .0: the work which will be of immense benefit to the Opotikl district and we ieel will lie fully warranted. The possibilities which a railway, wiil confer cm the district are outstanding. The membership of the branch has been well maintained during the yoai, but it is far short of what it should be. We urge 'upon every farmer the necessity for joining up and sc-’ make the Union such a powerful body that its aims and objects shall receive tho consideration it . deserves. I men is Strength.' I wish to thank the members of tho Executive for their attendance at the monthly meetings and for the enthusiasm shown and interest taken in tho affairs of the 1 branch. j