FINANCIAL MEMBERS ?

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 287, 9 May 1929, Page 6

FINANCIAL MEMBERS ?

CURIOUS IMBROGLIO.

Union Subscriptions.

Strong complaint was made by members of the Matamata branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Wednesday following a statement by the secretary that he had received no credit, from Auckland for two years for the proportion of members’ subscriptions due to the branch. Mr. Simpson remarked that the position was absurd. Members had been paying for years, yet they were unfinancial.

Mr. W. H. Allen, a member of the provincial council, who was present, said each branch was supposed to

submit a balance-sheet to headquarters and from the position shown a refund of five shillings per member was made. It was not possible to know without the balance-sheet how much should be refunded.

The secretary replied that during his term nothing had been received from Auckland, though a balancesheet had been sent. Mr. W. S. Wilson said it was a lot of “ tommy rot.” It looked as if they could not run their own affairs. Mr. Allen remarked that the council was in credit solely through collecting subscriptions through the dairy companies. If the balance-sheet was ill proper order he felt sure the money would be paid out. Mr. Blackloek (organiser) pointed out that the dairy companies collected the money for 5 per cent. If they had to make individual returns to each branch they could not do it for this amount, and worse confusion would arise. Mr. Simpson held that the position was absurd. Members had been paying for years, yet they were unfinancial. They were unfinancial financial members. The secretary said he had been advised that the balance-sheet was not made out to requirements and that this was the reason. On Mr. W. H. Allen promising to look into the matter the subject was dropped.