CROQUET TOURNEY.

Northern Advocate, 2 April 1937, Page 3

CROQUET TOURNEY.

Members of the Hikurangi Croquet Club spent an enjoyable day on the greens on Easter Monday, playing in a small tournament run by the club. The prize-winners were Mrs C. Robinson and Mrs C. K. Lawrie, of Pukekohe.

Union Membership. Mr D. Kitchen, in emphasising the necessity for a strong Union, urged that an endeavour should be made to increase the membership. They should get in all farmers, for they had a big fight ahead, and more members would mean a reduced subscription, Mr A. Bell said .there was to be a Dominion-wide canvass for new members, commencing on April sth. Mr Stewart' thought that a good deal of new interest could be aroused by holding meetings in various centres. Mr Marsh said he did not think the present fee was a bar to membership. The trouble was that so many farmers were suffering from inertia. He would like to know what objection could be raised to compulsory membership. Mr Lewis: “If farmers took the same interest in the Union as those in the North, the Union would be much further ahead.

Mr Bell said he was sure that it was not the subscription which prevented farmers from joining. It was usually the man who could pay with the least inconvenience who declined to join the Union.

Mr Holder said he was against compulsion, which was opposed to good fellowship, the very thing they were after.

Mr Clem Matthews said the farmer belonged to a class which won’t be driven. The . farmer was different from the ordinary worker. He had many interests, and had more than the worker, who had often only good wages and shorter hours to consider. Try to drive a farmer and he immediately became obstinate.

The chairman said Mr Stewart’s idea was a good one, and they could arrange for putting it into execution, at the next meeting.

Mr Holder said the best way would be to provide such service through the Union that every farmer would find it necessary to join. That idea had been brought forward by Mr Pettitt.

Mr Lewis: “Why not use the Press for bringing the advantages of the Union before farmers?”

On the motion of Mr Stewart, it was decided to send forward a remit favouring some t’emunjeration (to branch secretaries.

Mr Bell said that under the present rules any payment to the secretary would have to come out of the 5/- per member reserved for local use. He knew that in some branches the secretary was paid, the remuneration in one case being £1 per meeting. The motion was carried.

On the motion of the chairman, it was decided to continue the daytime meetings.'

Purely Local. Mr Bell said the remit formerly carried, that % Government fields instructor be appointed for Kaitaia, had been referred back to Kaitaia as being purely of local importance. It was decided to place the matter before the Department. Social Credit,

Mr Lewis urged that social credit meetings be held during the winter, with a view to the enlightenment of those who had not studied the subject. He moved that this be done. The motion was seconded by Mr Houston, and was carried.