FARMERS’ UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

TE AWAiAUTU BRANCH SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT URGED (Special io Times.) TE AWAMUTU, Saturday. At the annual meeting- of the Te Awamutu branch ol the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the president, Mr A. S. Wyllie, was In the chair. Among the visitors was Mr A. C. A. Sexton, vice-president of the Auckland Provincial Executive. In his report of the year’s activities, the president made reference to the effort made by farmers to increase production as an important war measure. The drawback to any increase was the lack or skilled labour available for farm work, the position being acute and calling Tor the drafting of men from non-essential work. Home defence had been given consideration and all members were appealed to to take som»- active part in the scheme. Mr Wyllie reminded the meeting of tno resolution passed m May, 1040, to the effect that a war emergency, the time had arrived for tin* formation or a National Government. Harvesting operations had been made easier as a result of the union’s representations ihat attendants at the Mental Hospital be permitted to engage in fr»e work in the Tree time, and the railing or young men to territorial camp had been postponed lo enable tbe farmers to get harvesting done. The branch had also interested itself in the question of transport, rural mails, manure bag refunds, and remounts for the Army in connection with whien over 10no horses had been collected from the district. The treasurer. Mr G. Donaldson, preiented the statement of accounts which showed tnat the year had ended with a credit balance. Electron of Officers The following omce.rs were elected:— President: Mr A. S. Wyllie • re-elocted); vioe-pre.'idents: Messrs Alan E. Bryant and G. R. [.awry (re-elected»; treasurer: Mr G. Donaldson < re-elected>; secretary: Mr C. J. Flay (re-elected;; executive: Messrs H. It. Clarke and C. Alexander (Pokuru). C. North Paterangi;. W. J. Hodgson and s. \. Ammon (llairlni). G. T. crawley (Puahue), E. Glasson (Mangapiko;, 1.. C. Day > Paterangi. R.D., Ohaupo). C. Old < Ngahape . w. s. Ear waker (Te Mawhai), H. Houston and J. Mlllen I Pa rawer ai. J. Rea and A. Dagg (Pukeatua), E. Krippner (Te Rorei, and R. Sfexted (Te Kawa); delegates to the Waikato sup-provincial executive: Messrs A. S Willie, G. R. I.awry. A. E. Bryant, C. Norm. C. .1. Flay, F. Goodner. and (l. Donaldson: delegates to Waikato sub-provmcial comference at Hamilton on April 4: The iarne delegates as to the sub-provincial executive. with the addition or Messrs C. S. Alexander, W. J. Hodgson, 11. R. Clarke, and J. Rea. Remits to Conference It was derided to send remits to the Annual conference as follows: (1) That it be a rocommendation to the conference to urge the establishment of j A National Government in New Zealand. • (2) Tn.it as a war-time emergency mea- J sure, it is imperative, in order to maintain primary production, that a remission ' Of the awards of the Arbitration Court, es- i pecially in relation to the forty-hour , Week, be made. (3) That, in the interests of unity and i economy, the Executive be urged to en- | deavour to bring about the amalgamation of tbe two existing farmers’ ofllcial news- ! papers. I At tbe conclusion of the ordinary business, Mr Sexton gave an interesting ad- ' dress on matters affecting the rarming | Industry in which reference was made to | the present crisis and the effect of the I shipping position. It had been thought j that the British Government would take ! everything this country could produce and ; farmers had been encouraged to increase I production. The Farmers’ Union had taken j the attitude that the responsibility for pronouncing for reduced production was j that or the Government. When reduction had to be made, the union considered, It should be made at the works, and the restrictions should be spread over the whole community. Cold storage 'nad been Increased and should be sufficient till September next. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAIKATO AIRPORT SCHEME The president. Mr G. a. Gibbs, was in the chair at the monthly meeting or the , Te Awamutu Chamber or Commerce. The ] General Manager of Railways advised that the question or free deliveries from rail was under consideration and the chamber’s s representations would be borne in mind. The secretary reported that he had interviewed Mr S. C. B. Macky, a member of the Waikato Airport Board, who thought that it would still be possible that the Te Awamutu Borough could come into the scheme. Minor legislative action would probably be necessary as the Empowering Act had been framed to include tne local bodies then co-operating. It was derided to defer discussion till after the local body elections. Tbe question of rural transport was raised by Mr L. G. Armstrong who urged the need Tor some improved organisation should greater stringency arise. Rationing had limited the sphere or vehicles and further restriction might lead to a breakdown in communications,