FARMERS' UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 15 May 1925, Page 13

FARMERS' UNION.

FAIRLIE BRANCH. , ' The annual meeting was held on Tuesday evening. Present—-Mr J. Trotter (chairman), and a fair number ’ of members. ' The chairman, referring to the annual yeport and balance sheet, de- ! precated the lack of interest shown in-the.! Union' by many local farmers, VncT stressed the point that several other branches in Canterbury and Otago had enrolled from 90 to 95 per cent, of the farmers In their districts. JThe chairman;, also gave a • lehgtliy resuine of the work accomplishedai meetings of both Provincial and Dominion Conferences in connection with meat, wheat, insurance ana other matters of vital interest to the farming community. .'Mr: A: F. Campbell referred to the comparitiyely small interest taken in the Union by many farmers, although all seemed desirous of participating in benefits resulting from the Union’s activities. Various members spoke in similar vein, deploring the fact that Messrs Trotter, Campbell, Barron and Murphy. who had attended several, conferences at Timaru and much fiirther afield, had done so entirely at their own expense. Mr Campbell moved that in the opinion of this Union the minimum prioes of wheat for next season should be G/6, 6/8 and 6/10 per bushel for. fair average -quality (60Ibs"per bushel). Mr Talbot seconded the proposal which was carried unanimously.

Speakers generally condemned the inclination shown in some quarters to stand out for very high prices. As the Dominion levy for 1925-6 had been fixed at 10/- per member, and the provincial levy at 6/- per member, it was resolved to fix the annual subscription at £l. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — Chairman, Mr Trotter; vice-chair-man, Mr Barron; delegate, Mr Campbell; executive members, Messrs Barron and R. Murphy; secretary, L. J. McGregor; committees, Messrs W. A. Robertson, R. Seay. A. Dorman, C. J. Talbot, C. Whatman, R. E. : Gillingham, T. Wesfgarth, T. Macdonald, T. B. Crampton, E. Goodwin, H. Tritt and ex offic-io members.

In asking Mr Trotter to again accept the position of chairman eulogistic references were made to past services rendered by him, not only to the local Union, but also to the Provincial and Dominion Boards.