N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 338, 15 May 1930, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

MATAMATA BRANCH. Annual Meeting., The annual general meeting of the Matamata branch of the New j Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in j St. Andrew’s Hall on Tuesday. There ; was a good attendance of farmers present. Report. In reporting on the past year, the retiring president, Mr. T. H. Prowse, stated that he felt that perhaps they had not been a particularly live branch during the year, for which he took his share of the blame. Nevertheless the faithful few had carried on and accomplished some good. During the year the Rotorua sub-provin-cial branch had been established, and this executive had forwarded some constructive proposals, chief of which was a scheme to further land settlement. Some of. the proposals in the Government scheme were very similar to those suggested by the executive. A. pleasing feature of the year was a joint meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, which he felt had been productive of much good. He hoped these would be continued, and it was only by an oversight that none of the Chamber was present that might. A visit had also been paid to the Putaruru district, where rolling country fit for dairying had been planted in trees. The report was adopted on the motion of Messrs. Price and Higgins. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £ll 18s. The Farmers’ Hall. In reply to Mr. Higgins, the chairman stated that about £3O was due to the branch from Auckland as a refund. on subscriptions on a basis of 5s per member. Mr. Higgins then pointed out that in his opinion the hall account should be shown separately and not mixed up with the branch accounts. Mr. West agreed, and stated it only confused matters to have both accounts in one.

Mr. Hawke stated that if the hall ;was run by trustees it seemed to him that a public meeting of farmers should be held and tjie accounts submitted to them. Mr. Simpson stated that the Farmers’ Hall belonged to the farmers’ branch but not to the union. In the early days meetings were held in the old woolshed which was cold and Unsuitable. He suggested they erect their own hall and some put in £3O and some £2O and some £5. The hall was erected and the money was paid back out of profits. In those days they did a lot of trading in grass seed, salt, wool packs and many other lines on a cash basis. Later two rooms were added, and that was the cause of their present overdraft. While on his feet he would like to move a vote of thanks to the Matamata Record for its assistance during years of difficulty. The motion was seconded and carried amidst applause. Mr. Higgins thanked Mr. Simpson for his explanation, which had elucidated matters.

Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. D. B. Higgins; vice-president, Mr. H. Rollett; secretary, Mr. Gouk, auditor, Mr. J. Simpson; executive, Messrs. Prowse, Simpson, West, Seed, Sutherland, Were, Price, Findlayson, junr., Ryan, Wilson, Bush and Bruce. (Continued in Next Column)

On the motion of Messrs. Rollett and Price, the president, Mr. D. B. Higgins, was appointed a delegate to represent -the branch, at the Whangarei conference. Constitution and Rules. Mr. Johnson stated that many young members did not know the rules or objects of the Farmers’ Union, and he felt that a copy of such with the rules of the local branch should be given to each new member. It was left with the executive to see that all new members were provided with a copy of the rules. Honorary Member. ' On the motion of Messrs. Rollett and Simpson, Mr. A. J. Tong was elected an honorary member of the branch.