N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 May 1928, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

SOUTH TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. THE MONTH’S WORK. There were present at the ordinary monthly meeting of the South Taranaki executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday morning at tbp county office Messrs E. J. Betts (chair), D. M. Cameron, A. C. Ricketts, H. E. Johnson, T. Reynolds, A. F. Sulzberger, J. Cocker, M. F. Barker, H. Thrush, A. L. Jennings, F. AVillan, and E. K. Cameron (secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs M. E. Carter and W. T. Seed. THE UNION BALL. Mr. J. Cocker reported on the preliminary arrangements in regai d to the annual ball, stating that the supper could be done for a small cost so long as it was not elaborate. He reported having fixed the ball for May 30, and that the ladies would take charge of the supper. ■ Mr. D. M. Cameron said the idea had been to popularise the union, so that they should have a really good ball and “do it well.” On his motion it was agreed to have a sit down supper In view of the farmers excursions, it was resolved to postpone the bail till some date in June, and the subcommittee would confer on the matter. GENERAL. The secretary reported haying received details of various meetings and cf the .appointment of delegates to the annual conference as below: - Auroa, Messrs W. Mudford and A. Langlands; Lowgarth, Messrs F. AVillan, A. T. Sulzberger, and A. D. Johnson; Okaiawa, E J. Booth and E. G. Betts; Tokaora, A. J. Haseltine and 11. "Wells. Mr. H. E. Johnson expressed on behalf of Tokaora disappointment that the matter of Mr. F. Mills’ life membership had not been definitely decided, the appointment to provincial life membership not being satisfactory. lie said Mr. Mills had done yeoman service for the union and deserved the honour. —It was resolved that. the matter be the subject of a remit to the Dominion conference.

WOMEN’S BRANCH. GOOD AA’ORK CONTINUED. The members present at the ordinary meeting of the women’s division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held in the Hawera County office yesterday, were: Mrs. AV. E. Carter (president), Mesdames D. M. Cameron, E. Meuli, C. Benton, G. U. Lusoombe, Nicholas, Cocker, Thrush and Miss O’Sullivan. The president reported having formed a branch at Auroa. with a strong membership, and prospects looked bright. She said that a question had been raised in regard to politics, and she stressed that there were no politics in the union, because if that were not so they would) get only the help of one side. The division was out only to help every country woman in the Dominion. The matron of the public hospital wrote to state that she regretted the sister would not be able to give the lecture in May, and suggested two in June, the first and the third' Thursday of the month. Mrs. Cameron promised to arrange and to advise members in the matter.

A letter was received from Mrs. D. Stewart. Hunterville, dealing with first, the matter of emergency housekeeper, and asking if any members knew of women willing to do such work. She dealt also with the matter of accommodation, adding that this "was always a difficulty in ba-ok-block homes, but that all who secured the,services of the housekeeper would do their best for her. Travelling expenses was also a problem, , but this would he improved as the scheme developed. Mrs. McAlpine added congratulations, and said that it was good to hear of the formation of the Auroa branch.

The secretary of the Dominion Book Club wrote to say that supplies of books 1 were adequate. It was emphasised that the scheme was for the back country, and the suggestion was made that this district should have a branch. She referred to the' question of book socials, at which the hooks brought were given to the club. Referring to the need of having one or more women on school committees, Mrs. Carter said that there were many aspects of the life of the school which would benefit by baring a woman as a. member of a committee. .She considered that the woman “looked at the human element, while men dealt only with facts and figures.” She quoted) from a- letter received from Mahnkipawa (MarllvoroughU where one fndv teacher without assistance controlled a school of 58 children. She needed help badly, hut because the number was just a fraction Inflow that required to justify an assistant she could not get one, and was suffering severely in consequence. She, added that she believed schools should he graded on classes, not on the average attendance, a.nd she knew that several members of education hoards agreed with her opinion. One of them had advised her to “keep pegging away.” Tt was decided to refer the matter to the next school committees’ meeting. Mrs. Cocker remarked- on the great success secured by Mrs. B. Gillies, wife of the union organiser, who- had taken up the work of influencing women to join after she- arrived in Taranaki. She said) it- was purely voluntary work, lmt it certainly was very effective and doing much good for the women’s- division.