FARMERS’ UNION

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 6 August 1931, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

SOUTH! TARANAKI BRANCHES' PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE MEETS The monthly meeting of the South Taranaki Provincial Executive oi the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in the Eginont A. and P. Buildings at Hawera to-day. The president. (Mr i-. J. Betts occupied the chair and also present- were Messrs W. T. Seed, J. Cocker, J. A. Pettigrew, J. D. Gonaglen, L. A. Jennings, H. Hodge, M. F. Voullaire, H. Thrush. A. C. Ricketts, W. El. Carter, T. J. Allen, H. D. McDonald, C. R. Julian, AI. AY. Barker, P. B. Pease, W. Burton, W. J. Marsh, J. Young, T. Young and the provincial, secretary (Air E. K. Cameron). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs F. W. Horner and 0. Robertson. - The meeting; was addressed by Airs W. E. darter, president of the Women’s Division of the Farmers'’ Union, who pointed out the • peculiar position that had arisen at the last Dominion oonference. The union delegates _ had rejected! a remit to legalise art unions, whilst Hie same remit was adopted by bhe women's division. “It does not mean jhat the women are greater gamblers than men,” said Mrs Carter amidst laughter, “although _on the voting at the cionferen.ce it .points very much in that direction.” It was proof, however, that there should be greater co-ordination between the union and the division at future conferences, .otherwise the organisation would be divided against- itself. Airs Carter hoped t-lia.t this state of affairs would bo obviated and that an opportunity would he given for ai discussion of remits prio-r to future conferences. Airs- Carter also extended an invitation to the executive to attend a demonstration of fruit tree spraying, and pruning, to 1 be given by the Government orchard instructor (Air Frost) at Mr E. K. Cameron’s garden in Hawera next Thursday afternoon. The invitation wais accepted and Airs Carter thanked for her attendance. STATE LOTTERIES. With regard to _ the legalising of State lotteries, Air Carter said that the voting of the union against the remit •at the conference was practically four fo one. Air Cocker: There is a growing objection to the attempt to; legalise art inions. If art. unions are given a degree of respectability we shall have our young people taking to- gambling. A voice: But it is ’ only bringing into tlie open what at present is being f conducted under cover. Mr Carter: Some sections of the people will gamble and nothing we can do is going to stop it. The. chairman pointed out that the speakers were getting away from the •subject. The question to be decided was whether f uture remits which were j of interest both to the union and the women’s division should not be consul- 1 - ered jointly before going to the hoiiiinion conference. Mr Thrush: If we are going to allow oO or 60 women delegates to- sit with union delegates I don’t know how long our Dominion oonference is going to last. The chairman: I am fully in sympathy with the objects, of the women’s! division and to my mind there should be co-ordination, iii the matter of remits. The division is not properly organised and it would doi the delegates good to see the way our conferences are run. Air Cooker pointed out that the women’s division did not have the finance to send delegates to- Wellington., Gif the membership fee of 2s (id only dd was retained for branch administration. “If we received only one-fifth of our .subscriptions we would have something to say about it,’’ continued Air Cocker. “The division is doing •excellent work of a benevolent nature and deserves the support of the branches.” Air Cona.gle.il: It is gratifying to note the progress of the division in the last few years. The Opunake branch { of the union recognises the value of' the work undertaken by the division! and is assisting the local hranejf in every way possible. Referring to the question of the relief of unemployment, Air Allen asked whether it would not be possible to procure the use of a, reserve or the lease of sufficient 'lanil lor the planting of vegetables by the unemployed, for distribution next winter. The experience had been that many families in Hawera: required assistance and he considered the time opportune to consider some such scheme of production and self-help. The chairman: ,\Ve hope that- therei won’t be so much unemployment next! winter. Air Thrush disagreed with the previous, speaker and pointed out that the unemployed in their own homes were in a position to keep good gardens, / It was resolved that arrangements be made to bring about a. closer coordination with the women’s division where consideration is being given to points of a similar purport. TRANSPORT BILL. The meeting briefly discussed the Motor Transport Bill coming before the House at the present session and it was recognised generally that the proposed legislation required careful investigation.

All- Cocker Objected to the principles of the Bill and said that the provisions were a menace in that they would have the effort of creating monopolies. It was resolved that the secretary communicate, with the Parlianientai y representatives of the district and the. Dominion headquarters of the Farniers Union asking that the Bill he watched carefully. FARM ACCOUNTING. The secretary gave details of the proposed formation of a Farm Accounting Association. Farmers accounts would be kept at a, cost of £1 per annum. which would entitle him to a Da lance-sheet and statement pf the position of Ills affairs front time to time. The chairman congratulated the secretary- on bridging down the scheme and oil the motion of Air Hodge it was rtsolyed that Air Cameron address the branches throughout South Taranaki. TEACHERS’ REMOTE ALLOWANCE The South Taranaki branch of the Neijv Zealand Educational. Institute wrote asking the executive t-o -support a Stratford! resolution protesting against the stoppage oi the remote allowance paid to country teachers. For some time past teachers had been concerned as to the probable effect on the standard of education by proposed economies' and it was suggested that the country children would be the Erst to, sniffer. One of the reasons for the payment of the remote allowance in the first place was to attract logo grade teachers to the country. The branch pointed out -that if necessary representative teachers would welcome the opportunity of discussing with farmers aspects of educational policy. This course was advocated by Air Cocker. The protest. against the removal or the remote allowance was supported and it. was decided' to invite representative teachers, to address sthe executive.

OPAKU RESERVE. “AI though! the recent claim in connection with this matter was successful we must still foe on the alert-,” said Air Cocker, when a letter from the Taranaki Education Board with reference to the retention of the Opalru Endowment for Taranaki scholarships was tabled. The chairman agreed and it was resolved to secure the co-operation of the North Taranaki Provincial executive. . Mr Cocker observed that the tuna had grown to nearly £30,000 and lie felt that every effort was needed to protect the endowment for the purpose to which it was intended.