PAHIATUA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 81, 4 March 1938, Page 3

PAHIATUA

PAHIATUA, March 2. Tlie Pahiatua branch of the Farmers’ Union met yesterday afternoon, Mr J. H. liremuer being in the chair. The chairman referred to the deaths of Messrs J. A. Sinclair, S. McLeod and A. Barrel!, who had passed away since the last meeting, aiid a motion of sympathy was passed with their relatives. The chairman reported on the visit of Mr O’Shea, the Dominion secretary. He also referred to several matters dealt with at the recent meeting of the Wairarapa executive and made a report on the conference held in Pahiatua on Monday anent noxious weeds. Mr Brenuier said it was an abortive meeting from his point of view and lie told the members that instead of taking any active steps the delegates had only passed two resolutions, one of which was stale and at least 20 years old. He went on to admit, however, that the conference served a certain purpose because it would give the matter useful publicity. “We as a union have been blamed for criticising the Government a great deal,” said Mr Bremner, “but I think the present Government have made a splendid effort towards dealing with [the noxious weeds problem 'and they deserve all credit for it, although possibly it was aimed at creating employment.” The speaker Held that the present Government had asked for the assistance of local bodies and said the only reply that had come from Pahiatua had been a decision to ask them to do more. Mr T. F. Anderson then moved that the union support the recommendation of the president in advocating local body 1 control to eradicate noxious weeds and ask the ; council to take steps to bring this about for next season. Mr C. J. Eising seconded the proposal, which was carried unanimously. Jn moving “that in view of the shortage of single farm labourers in the Dominion this branch of the Fanners’ Union desires to impress upon the Government the urgent necessity of instituting and financing a scheme to enable farmers to provide homes for married farm workers,” the chairman made reference to the drift from the country into the towns of New Zealand and intimated that once there was 60 per cent of the population in the country and about 40 per cent in the cities, hut nowadays it would ho about 35 per cent in the country and 65 per cent in the towns. The speaker referred to eases where young men with long experience as farm hands and who were anxious to get married were obliged to go to town to obtain a job and a house. Although ho admitted the heavy cost, the sneaker thought the Government should enable farmers to get long-term financial assistance hv means of which they could build homes to house married employees. Mr C. J. Eising seconded the motion, which was passed. A motion was also passed requesting' that, in view of the improved position of unemployment in the Domirnon and the accumulated reserves in the ITnemnlovmont Fund, the Government substantially reduce the unemployment tax. .4 dyers" ori+ieDm of the methods adopted by the New Zealand waterside y-nvl-ers was put forward. when the following motion was adopted: “That owinrr to the unsatisfactory v-ovking conditions operating at th“ chief seaports of the Dominion, the Pahiatua branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union supports the reonest made to the Government hv the Farmers’ Union and the Assoeiated Chambers of Commerce that n Poval Commission he set up to investigate tho position.” Mr and Mrs J. A. Martin, of Wel-

lington, are the guests of Mrs G. Gardiner. A wedding was solemnised at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on 'Wednesday, February 23, the contracting parties being Eileen Joyce, first daughI ter of Mr and Mrs W. A. Tapp, of Mangatainoka and Marniaduke George, | second son of Mr and Mrs A. E. Flet- | cher, of Christchurch. The ceremony was performed by ttev. Herbert Wilson. The annual garden party of the Presbyterian Church was held yesterday afternoon in the beautiful grounds of Mrs W. Richardson’s residence. Shelter from the hot rays of the sun was found under the many trees. The competitions held were clock golf, croquet and “magic bucket.” Mrs I. M. Graham proved the winner of both the golf and croquet games. The stallholders were: Sewing, Mesdames C. Carrad and C. le Comte; produce, Mesdames L. T. Herbert, Poole and J. E. Macdonald; cakes, sweets and soft drinks, Mesdames R. L. Harley, E. E. Etz and W. Murch; afternoon tea, Mesdames Richardson and Winter and helpers. Rev. A. A. Armstrong was in charge of the “magic bucket,” while Miss A. .Henderson and Mr H. Henderson took charge of the’ other competitions. Over £l9 was raised. At the February meeting of the Humua Women’s Institute, over which Mrs Hobbs presided, a travel talk was given by Mrs Bagnall. The monthly competition, a pmte of date scones, was won by Mrs G. Bailey. Miss M. Davies was first and Mrs Hobbs second in the best bloom competition. The hostesses were Mesdames P. Galvin and R. Sinclair. Bro. A. E. Sargent presided at the fortnightly meeting of the U.A.O.J). Lodge, when fraternal greetings were received from Bro. Walton, of Waimate, South Canterbury. The quoit competition was won by P.D.B. Bro. F. Cosford, who beat A.P.A. Bro. G. H. Brown.