N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 286, 2 May 1929, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PUTARURU BRANCH. Annual Report. At the annual meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farmers’ Union the annual report was not available. This document was brought before the meeting of the union on Saturday by Mr. L. M. Nicklin, the secretary, and as described by the president (Mr. A. R. Vosper) it was a comprehensive statement of the activities cf the local branch for the year.

The report stated that during the period under review eight members resigned and eleven new members joined, making the total membership GO. Twenty meetings were called, nineteen being held, with one lapsing for want of a quorum. An aggregate attendance of 221 attended, the highest attendance being 18, the lowest 6 and the average 11. One hundred and fifty-three outward letters were despatched, and at least one letter has been received for every one sent. Five lectures had been given by experts on various subjects of interest to farmers. The subject of Daylight Saving had been brought before the Prime Minister, Cabinet, etc., and strong protests were made against the introduction of the measure.

During the year visits had been laid by the executive to Tirau, Tokoroa, Tapapa. Lichfield, Waotu and Puketurua. Except for the Tokoroa meeting, all other meetings were for the formation of a rabbit board, as well as furthering the work of the union and to interest farmers in the Country Party political movement. A branch of the Women’s Division of the Union was formed, and it is pleasing to report that the branch has gone ahead by leaps and bounds. Reference was made to the excellent services rendered to the farming community by Mr. Bond,, who for eight years was stationmaster at Putaruru. The union interested itself in the matter of better loading facilities at the Putaruru railway station for pigs for the Ce-operative Pig Marketing Association, and were successful in this direction.

An attempt made by the branch to have a rabbit board formed failed, but the idea has not been dropped altogether, and it is hoped that the work already done may be useful in the near future. After reference to the loss that the branch and district generally sustained by the departure of Mr. G. G. Griffiths, and appreciation of that gentleman’s services, the report closed with an appeal to members to attend the meetings, and pointing out that without unity the energy, time and brain power expended was utterly wasted, but with a proper exercise of unity the union could help to keep the country on its correct course to prosperity. The report was adopted.