FARMING ON WEST COAST

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22432, 20 June 1938, Page 4

FARMING ON WEST COAST

REMITS CARRIED AT CONFERENCE TEACHER SAID TO BE UNDERPAID

The following additional remits were dealt with at the annual conference of the West Coast provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union held at Greymouth last week:— Westport Branch—That the union request the Government that the testing of all cows for tuberculosis be made compulsory.—Carried. , . Kokatahi-Koiterangi Branch —That an investigation'be made into the possibility of forming a farming accountancy system on the West Coast. —Carried. Kokatahi-Koiterangi Branch—That the union make representations to have a reduction made in heavy vehicle fees paid on vehicles used for farming.—Carried. It was decided that an organiser should be invited to operate on the West Coast at some convenient time, and that the Grey County Council should be asked to open its office on Saturday mornings, as this was the only time many country workers came to town. At Taramakau, said Mr H. Beckett, there was a teacher at a school which was attended by the children of only two- families. Neither family could board the teacher, who had-to board elsewhere. As a result she had less than 15s a week left from her salary on which to live. The Education Department should be asked to pay teachers a decent living wage. It was degrading for teachers to have almost to beg for board and lodging. A motion to that effect was carried. It was decided to approach the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) to obtain road access for several settlers in the Grey Valley. INSPECTION OP BULLER SCHOOLS

VISIT OF DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Pleasure at the condition of schools in the Buffer district was expressed by Mr N. T. Lambourne (Director of Education), who completed a tour of the district on Saturday. He was met by the Westport School Committee on the question of providing a new school or schools at Westport, and inspected the proposed sites for two buildings which it is suggested should replace the present structure in Russell street.

Mr Lambourne will inform the Minister for Education (the Hon. P Fraser) of the representations.