N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1112, 7 April 1930, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

. MATAMATA BRANCH. Unemployed Insurance. There was a poor attendance of farmers at an ordinary meeting of the Matamata branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union, held in the Farmers’ Hall, on Friday night. Mr. T. H. Prowse, president, occupied the chair. Farmers’ Excursion. The secretary of the Auckland provincial branch wrote stating that after a long fight for farmers’ excur- ! sion trains, the Minister’s, opposition had been broken down and trips arranged. It was now proposed to run a trip, if 200 offered, from Auckland to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill from May 13 to 25, at an inclusive price for fares, side trips and accommodation of about £l9. The president stated that he did not know who selected the date, but it was an awkward one as it was early in the season, the cows not being dry, and the date also clashed with the Auckland Provincial Conference. It seemed to him to be a wonderfully cheap trip. The notice was short as names had to be in on the 7th. Some three or four • names were handed in as probable excursionists. Station Entrance. Mr. Simpson urged that efforts be made to obtain a gate near the factory leading into the railway station. It seemed to him to be a commonsense thing to do, as it would benefit the town, the farmers and the railway authorities. It would only need a road of not more than twenty yards. Mr. Rollett stated that efforts had been made to get the gate some time ago, but the excuse given was that the railway authorities would have no check on the loads going out. This, however, was: absurd, as who- , ever heard of anyone being held up to get their loads checked ? Morr.insville had such a gate, and so had Rotorua. It was ten years since they first asked for the gate. Mr. Prowse stated that all that was done was that a farmer went and got the number of his truck, and then went and got his goods. On the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Higgins, it was decided to make a .further application to get a gate put in at the southern end of the yards. Mr. Simpson suggested that the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce should be sought, and this' was agreed to. Unemployed Insurance. Mr. Rollett brought up the question of unemployed insurance, stating that they were likely to/get the same thing as happened at Home under the dole. There hiany men lived on the dole. There should be no relief without work. Mr. Simpson: Look sc the scheme for raising funds; it . looks as if they are going to make it a permanent thing. Continuing, the speaker stated that it was unfair to tax land for such a fund. • On the motion of Messrs. Rollett and Higgins, it was decided to write to the provincial council protesting against the scheme and urging there should be no relief without work. Conference. On the motion of Mr. Simpson, it was decided that the president, Mr. T. H. Prowse, represent the branch at the provincial conference to be held at Whangarei. Failing' Mr. Prowse. being able to get away,, it was decided that Mr. H. Rollett take his place. Putaruru Trip. Reporting on the Putaruru trip, the president stated that the Women’s Division in that centre had entertained members royally. An inspection was made of the afforestation areas, and there was no doubt that much good land was being planted in trees. Such interchange of visits brought farmers together and did good.