FARMERS’ QUESTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1921, Page 6

FARMERS’ QUESTIONS.

THE TARANAKI UNION,

MOUMAHAKI FARM. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Hawera on Friday. Present: Messrs. Dunn, president (in the chair), Maxwell, Hodge, Orr, Pierce, Mills, Sutherland, Swindlehurst, Astbury, and Buckeridge (secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs. Betts, Washer, Owen, and Burke Mr. Mills reported briefly on the visit of members of the executive and the Hawera branch to the Moumahaki farm. The meeting had been organised by the Waverley people and it was at the suggestion of the Minister that Hawera was representd. The main question in which they were interested was that of the general management of Moumahaki farm. The Minister stated that he had practically decided upon the broad question of policy and would on his return to Wellington consider, with other details,.the matters mentioned by him as the representative of the executive. Among other things, it was suggested that the farmers should have some voice in the running of the farm similar to that exercised with demonstration farms. As an objection to this, the Minister asked them whether the farmers would accep financial responsibility. CHANGING MEETING PLACES. The Dominion secretary wrote in reply to a letter in which information was solicited with a view to forming a sub-provincial district in North Taranaki. He was unable to give much information beyond the fact that subdistricts could be formed, the boundaries to be determined by the provincial executive. Mr. Astbury thought it would be a pity to divide the district, and that moving executive meetings should meet the case. The president said his information in regard to experiments in other places showed that sub-provincial districts were not in the best interests of the union. The question of meeting in New Plymouth was discussed. Mr. Mills thought it would be a good idea to meet in New Plymouth sometimes and it was suggested that the expenses of travelling might be reduced by entering into an arrangement with each other so that all would not have to take their cars. f Mr. Astbury moved that the next meeting of the executive, on August 12, be held in New Plymouth. This was seconded by Mr. Mills-and was carried unanimously. Mr. Astbury said it was his opinion that interest would be greatly increased if the meetings were held at the different towns along the line. Mr. Maxwell thought that if they met at Hawera, Patea and New Plymouth it would be satisfactory. AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. A letter was received from Mr. Johnson, agricultural instructor, stating that Ke had forwarded record sheets • for use in connection with the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, which were to be sent to Mr. Buckeridge for filing when filled in.—Mr. Buckeridge said these records would prove very useful and interesting.

The secretary stated that ho had called a meeting for North Taranaki at the Education Board’s office next Friday at 4 p.m. to discuss with the teachers Boys' and Girls’ Clubs. lie had been asked to arrange the meeting for the 29th, but Mr. Deem could not attend on that date.

Mr. Buckeridge further said they would have to go into the question of financing the clubs. Last year they cost about O, and this year he would have to send out notices to about 60 schools as againet 19 last year, and unless farmers were going to stand behind the movement it would be crushed with its own weight. Possibly they might be able-' to get a refund from the Department of the amount already spent. If the Department did not provide the prize money the Farmers' Union would have to do it. and then there was the extra work involved in the office. If all farmers were members of the union the matter would be simple enough, but fully nine-tenths of the farmers were not members. He would suggest that the clubs be dealt with in such a way as to preserve the benefits of the union.

After some discussion the following motion was carried:—‘‘That in order to place the finances of the boys’ and girls’ ’agricultural clubs on a sound basis the Government be asked to set aside an adequate annual grant to meet the cost- of organisation and maintenance of the movement outside of help from Government officials, and that they subsidise any voluntary moneys collected for prizes £ for The motion was seconded by Mr. Maxwell and carried.

Mr. Buckeridge said that representations had been made at x the Winter Show to different vendors of calf foods with a view to having prizes donated for the calf-rearing competitions, and several had signified their willingness to give prizes. He believed that they would get quite a number of prizes in this way, and the same thing may apply to the root competitions. In regard to the root competitions Mr. Astbury said it had been found that the roots grow longer the nearer they got to the mountain, and in this respect the northern clubs were at a disadvantage in competing with those further south. He thought it would be Airer if the judging was done a little later.

The president said they would consider this point when judging next year.

It was decided that the distribution of prizes take place at the Foresters’ Hall, Hawera, on August 6, and that the competitors, teachers, parents, fcjid supervisors be entertained with refreshments at 12 o’clock, before the function, which will take place at 1 o’clock.