MAKAKAU ‘FARMERS’ UNION.

Otaki Mail, 24 April 1922, Page 3

MAKAKAU ‘FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting wins liel on April Oth. there being a good attorn! mice. Mr Burnell occupied tlie ehuii The election of oiiieers fur the ensu ing year resulted as follows: —Utah man. Mr Burnell (re-elected); vice chairman, Mr Clifford; Committee, Mes ¥ rs Cl. H. Biyaiit (manager), am! Dwnin sou; treasurer, Mr Little (re-elected): •auditor, Mr L. H. Atkins (re-elected); delegate, Air L. H. Atkms (re-elected); secretary, Air I’. Simcox (re-elected). It was decided that meetings be held uu the second Thursday in each month at 7.iff p.lll. in the Parish Hall, ami to hold a dance during May. A strong committee was set up to carry it out.

ANNUAL REPORT. following is the annual report of the Alanakau branch of the N.Z. farmers’ Union: —' 1 Gentlemen,-—Once more " o have pleasure in welcoming you here to this our third annual meeting, and the beginning of our fourth year. Looking back upon the year just ended. it is well to note one or two outstanding features in relation to the Union to which we belong. Li common with the rest of the world, we

have been passing through the most severe linaueial crisis ever known in °ut history. The producers of word and meat have been feeling the pinch more than those who were deriving their incomes from that of dunging. 1 L ’> 1 first time on record dairying produce showed a far greater return than w0,,1. the difference being about mi “.a. Wool only ltd ted nine million odd. ■while dairy produce brought ou-i >< teen million into the country- 1 uoi likc.lv that for the close ol the [>ic pent season the difference between these two primary products, will be so ■ Hvat, but there is little daub; lho 1 will still lead. With a return to monnormal conditions, am! the gradual hardening tendency .of the markets ■for wool, mutton ami lamb, the ou

look is becoming a mile less acute. Butter, too, shows improvement on lnl. prices, and it is to be earnestly hoped that spring will bring a good demand Tor all produce, which menus increased prosperity- to the farmer ami to the whole nation. About twenty years ago when the office of the High Ouui--nd-ssloner was first established, very great results were expected. Olio by one our hopes of improvements in the Totalling of our produce on the Home market, have met with disappointment. jgj r Thomas Mackenzie has told us how time and again ho made- representa-

tions while he was High Commissioner

to the Government on various mntteis. but all his reports were shelved and newr heard of again. Stress ot circumstances recently caused such an out-ery from everyone concerned, that the Government was forced into passing legislation establishing a “Meat p 0 ol.” This is not necessarily confined to the protection of the sale ot. meat, but the. body of men with Mr David -Tones, M. 8.. at their head n< chairman, have almost unlimited pow-

or to control tin- export, and apportion overhead charges on all primary products. It is quite impossible to .*»y whether the scheme as at present suggested caw succeed. But it is the only thing for nil producers to give it a fair trial, and not condemn it out of hand. It. is worthy of note that during the lasi few days. Armour and Co. have been

granted a meat export license. 'Hus pottles a long dispute, and very possibly opens up a market for beef, while there is no chance of the trusts getting too great a hold on our produce, as the “Meat Pool Board” have entire control of the granting of the license, lo

return to our own local affairs: During the past year ten monthly meetings were hold, the average attendance being ten. as against fourteen for nine meetings last year. During the same period

eleven meetings of the executive were held, at every one of which our delegate (Mr L. H. Atkins) was present. Mr Atkins also attended the Provincial Conference held this year in Mrisf eft on on May 24th and -3 th. As wm are. aware, M* Atkins takes a. very keen interest in Union affairs, and if it were not for his able monthly reports, which

sustain interest in Union matters, it m ; quite probable our attendance would | not be as good as it is. The thanks of all are due then to our delegate, foi he has proved himself the right man in the right place. On May 11th we once again paid a visit to the Central Development Farm, and were hospitably entertained. On this occasion sis cars containing over thirty members and friends made the trip. The usefulness of the visit was somewhat marred by the attendance of members from the Kauwhata branch, rolling up in unexpected numbers, a good deal of time being lost. About 130 guests were present, which constituted a record. A photo of the group was taken and a very enjoyable day spent. During ‘May our branch held its second annual dance, which, with Mrs Miles as secretary, and an able committee, was most successful, and augmented the funds by about ten pounds. On September 6th a number of members visited Te Horo. Arrangements had been made with a view to stirring up interest in the Farmers’ Union. The speakers wore: Mr Poison, Dominion President; Mr Pield M.P., and Mr A. Buchanan, Chairman of the Sub. Provincial Executive. As there were hardly any Te Horo farmers there, the meeting could hardly be called a success. By the influence of our branch, the Manakan Bailway Station has been added to the local exchange. Our membership now stands at thirty, three. Although this number is far too small for a district the size of ours, still it is satisfactory to know that when our members are called upon they respond. As markets and time improve we hope to increase jour membership and usefulness in E r0 ‘

portion; The Farmers. ’ Union organiser, Mr Buxton, sums up a report of a canvas tour thus: —“In the whole history of the organisation there was never more vital need for the loyal co-op-eration of the whole fanning community in dealing with the important matters to be handled, than there V this year. It is very evident that the producing' community of the Dominion are in the worst position of any class as

regards organisation, at a time when they, the producers of the whole wealth of tlie Dominion, should be working solidly together in their own interests, which, after all, are the interests of the Dominion as a whole." It is gratifying to know that our branch is viewed at headquarters as one of the most nourishing of the Dub. Provincial area, ami it is generally- recognised that its success is largely due to our energetic, secretary, Air Simcox. This ollieer takes a particularly keeu interest in Union affairs, and his energetic and painstaking work, ive are sure, r«-ci-ivos the appreciation of all members. \ou will see from the treasurer's report and balance-sheet that the finances of the brunch are in quite’ a satisfactory state. Our thanks are due to Mr Little, who has carried out his duties as treasurer so well. In conclusion wo wish the incoming committee and ollico bearers, and members, every success for the comingyear. For the Committee, F. H. Burnell, Chairman.