THE WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z.F.U. MARKETS

Evening Star, Issue 20863, 5 August 1931, Page 11

THE WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z.F.U. MARKETS

For several years one of the activities of tho Women’s Division New Zealand Farmers’ Union has boon tho setting up of exchanges in brandies. The aim of those was to enable members to find an outlet for surplus goods and make a little pocket money. Quito often tho girls of a family had to stay at home to help, especially on dairy farms. After tho morning rush and before the evening milking there would be time to devoto to gardening or handcraft. These activities wero very helpful, hut they did not return any profit, and usually cost a good deal. In this connection the exchanges have proved very helpful, especially in tho fruit season and towards Christmas. Women sold or exchanged all sorts of surplus produce and handcraft. Whenever a pound’s worth was sold or exchanged they paid one shilling •into branch funds. Sometimes a day was sot aside on which those outside tho organisation could come in and purchase produce. Many requests were made that exchanges open to tho public should bo sot up. Tho assurance was given that it would bo very acceptable to town dwellers if they could obtain fresh supplies direct from the farms. It needed just the urge of necessity to complete arrangements to hold open exchanges or markets. The loaders of tho W.D.F.U. began to realise that owing to tho depression their members had not tho wherewithal to purchase much from each other, and that to do without had become a duty and a necessity. With a view to helping its members tho W.D.F.U. set up open markets in several towns, Invercargill began in a small way in Esk street. Tho committee had no capital to commence with and wero therefore unablo to advertise much. Country women were notified that hero was their shop. They were asked to supply quality goods at a reasonable cost. Town women wore advised that hero wero goods fresh from tho producer. Tho committee undertook to sell anything that could bo called surplus produce, and it was a revelation to find how many things could come under that classification. Surplus poultry had usually to he sent to tho salerooms in crates to bo sold for whatever they would bring. Very often tho returns were not enough to justify tho labour of sending thorn, but whoa dressed and offered ready for tho table those find a ready salo at remunerative prices, and tho supply is rarely equal to the demand. Recently in Invercargill 100 poultry and 25 goeso wore sold at tho W.D.F.U. market on Saturday morning. Christchurch and Wanganui each has its market, tin's being hold on tho day of tho W.D.F.U. branch meeting. The Christchurch market is open from 1 p.m., and has mot with a very good response from the public. In many other lines of quality goods the same conditions prevail. Butter, eggs, fruit, vegetables, dripping, cakes, biscuits, flowers, plants, chutney, pickles, jam, sauces, potted meats, handcraft, and many other things find a ready sale. Tho Invercargill market has grown week by week until it is now a very busy corner. No ono is asked to buy; tho attendants do not know what is going to bo brought in, but they take orders and fill thorn ns tho produce is delivered by car, bus, or train. Every encouragement has boon given by the town women, and many helpful suggestions have boon acted upon. Tho country women price their own goods, rnd tho W.D.F.U. takes a penny in tho shilling to dofiav expenses. At first tho committee was out of pocket, but .as tho market is now handling ten times tlm amount of produce that it did on tho opening day tho percentage taken should enable all liabilities to bo met in future, Tho W.D.F.U. as an organisation reaps no benefit financially. Tho venture is for tho benefit of individual members. Tho wives of business people buy the goods for cash. Tho country women call at tho market ami obtain tho vaiuo of their produce sold, and in turn go out and buy their necessities from the business people. Tho money is usually spent where it is made, and thus reciprocity is seen at its host. Tho market is open nil day Friday and Saturday morning of each week. Goro has also a very successful market, and rhe report from that centre is that tho supply of produce is not yet equal to the demand.

The Otago executive has plans in hand for opening a market in Dunedin at some future date.