FARMERS’ UNION

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1931, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

GREY VALLEY BRANCH. The ordinary meeting of the Grey Valley Branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held at Ikamatua on Saturday evening, there being a good attendance of members, Mr W. Clayton (president) occupying the chair. Before commencing the business of the meeting, the Chairman referred to the recent death of Mrs A. Mclnroe, of Ikamatua, an old resident of the district, who was highly esteemed by everyone, and a motion of sympathy with the relatives was carried in the usual manner.

Advice was to hand from the Provincial Secretary stating that it was hoped to have the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister in charge of unemployment, visit the West Coast at an early date, and asking for something concrete to place before him by way of improving second class land with unemployed labour. Members were not at all enthusiastic as to this possibility, as there is practically no unoccupied Crown land suitable for farming. The general opinion was that it would be a much better idea to build roads giving access to backblock settlers, many of whom have taken up land many years back, and struggling on, still without road access. It was decided to reply in that strain. The Dominion Secretary forwarded legal opinion asked for by this branch covering the droving of stock on public roads at night, and which has already been published. The Chief Postmaster replied to a matter in connection with the Blackwater office. It was decided to let it stand over for the present. A complaint was made that stock railed from Canterbury to the West Coast suffered from the engine cinders. It was stated that a bull and some sheep were blind when they reached their destination. While the Railway Department could not altogether be blamed for the damage to the stock, it was decided to write the District Traffic Manager, Christchurch, and ask if something could be done to minimise the trouble. As most farmers are more or less finding trouble in filling in the forms supplied by the Unemployment Commissioner giving their working profit or income for the year, that official is to be asked to supply a specimen copy setting out the figures of an imaginary farmer on the forms to be used. It was decided to request the County Councils and the Public Works Department that when clearing away willows from river banks or bridge piers, to prevent branches, or even twigs, going away in the stream. This course of action was decided upon after it was pointed out by ex-Canterbury farmers the trouble willows make in the river beds in Canterbury; the smallest twig of willow will grow and block up the riverbed, and as the Coast rivers are fairly clear so far, it was decided to request the public bodies concerned to do all that is possible to prevent this nuisance.