INGLEWOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1922, Page 6

INGLEWOOD.

THE FARMERS’ UNION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The meeting of farmers at Inglewood to discuss the proposal to re-establish a local branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was but meagrely attended. Mr. H. Trimble presided. Mr. F. Mills (president) said that formerly there had been good strong branches of the union in the Inglewood district and he asked why they had failed. The union existed, wholly and solely to work in the interests of the ■farmers, on whose behalf it had done much good work, and brought about effects that benefited all, whether members of the New Zealand Farmers’ Lin ion or not. He drew attention to the fact that the present president of the union (Mr. W. J. Polson) was a very energetic, up-to-date man, who had the welfare of the nation at heart and who realised that the producer, the man on the land, was the most important factor in the founding of the nation, and assured therq that the union was more fully alive now than it had ever been. He -felt confident that if once the farmers of North Taranaki realised the valuable work being done they would join up without the coaxing. As instances of advantages derived by the community from the activities of the union, he mentioned the Farmiers' Mutual Fire Insurance, the securing of freehold, tenure to leaseholders who desired it, the establishment of the meat’ pool for New Zealand and the Meat Control Board. He-also told of the work done by the conference lately held in Wellington in connection with the taxation of farmers, which the Premier had admitted was, in some of its incidences, unjust. The farmers of New Zealand were willing to pay their fair share of taxation, but unless they combined and strictly studied the actions of thode in power theypwere liable to be called on to pay more than was really their share. He called on the meeting to do its utmost to re-establish a branch in Inglewood, get a live president and a really live secretary, and help for their own good. He told* those present of the methods adopted in other/places to keep alive the interest in the different branches, such as root-growing competitions, local shows, children’s clubs, etc.

Mr. G. H. Buckeridge said that to establish a good useful branch here there must be workers—men who would pub their heart into the movement. He gave a very interesting sketch of his experiences in different activities of the organisation and quoted figures to show the good results that have followed the founding of competition clubs amongst both young and old. He read extracts from "a Canadian publication showing the immensity of the growth of children’s agricultural classes there since 1909. He said that he and the president had that afternoon only touched the outer edge of a very large and deeply important subject, because the time was too short to do more, but he urged his hearers to back the movement up in every way, keep those in the country from gathering to the towns, and draw those in the. crowded areas into the country. He also mentioned the matter of* agricultural - banking and cheap money for producers, which could only be hoped for by combination. Mr. J. B. Simpson spoke of his disappointment at the small attendance, but when Messrs. Mills an<i Buckeridge said they would come again if asked, it was decided to Adjourn the meeting to 8 p.m. on Thursday next, the 10th. inst., at the same place, viz., the Inglewood Parish Hall.