FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1938, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

WAIRARAPA PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE ANNUAL MEETING TODAY. DROP IN MEMBERSHIP. There was a record attendance of over thirty delegates at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, held this morning. The president, Mr Hugh Morrison, who occupied the chair, welcomed the new delegates and referred to the good feeling and friendship existing among members and he trusted that the happy state of affairs would continue. It was reported that the financial membership at the end of the year was 876, a drop of 144 on last year. The treasurer, Mr J. M. James, reviewed the financial position and stated that in spite of the bank overdraft the Union was still solvent and if everything was sold up there would be a surplus of about £26. Mr C. C. Jackson said the financial position could be considered satisfactory. Referring to the loss of membership, Mr Jackson said he was certain that after the org miser had been through the dit'.'ici, they would net only recover the inemtitrs lost but w uld merer s th’ membership still further.

The drop in membership was regrettable, observed Mr J. H. Bremner, who said that organisation was the only remedy. A big membership was the life blood of the Union and he urged that every effort be made to restore the membership to its former sound footing.

After touching briefly on aspects of the finances, Mr Morrison said the loss in membership was a serious thin:-; and w« old have to be carefully co isidered during the year. The Wairarapa was not a big province and they had to be “flat out” after members all the time. In reply to an interjection. Mr Morrison said he was opposed to raising the membership fee at the present stage. They had a graduated scale at present and that was about the best thing they could do. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr Hugh Morrison; vice-presidents, Messrs C. C. Jackson, D. McGregor, J. H. Bremner, R. Farrow, A. B. Martin; treasurer. Mr J. M. James; auditors, Messrs J. B. Keith and Co.; delegate to Masterton Chamber of Commerce, Mr L. T. Daniell; delegate to Dominion conference, Mr W. J. Thomas; finance committee, Messrs H. Morrison, J. M. James, C. T. Richardson, H. Bennett, D. McGregor and W. J. Thomas.

Glowing tributes were paid by several members to the worth of Mr Morrison and to the great work Jie was carrying out. It was decided, on the motion of Sir William Perry, that the question of organisation policy be referred to a special committee, which is to submit a report to the next meeting.