FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20445, 24 March 1928, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

THE RIVERSDALE BRANCH. MEETING AT WAIPOUNAMU. The Riversdale branch of the Farmers’ Union held its meeting at Waipounamu on the 16th inst., there being a representative gathering present. The president, Mr. T. McMath, occupied the chair. ' The secretary (Mr. F. Walker) explained in detail the nature of the bonds for sale to farmers Tinder the Rural Intermediate Credits Act, which met with favourable consideration by those present. The subject of river erosion came in for a good deal of discussion, one member suggesting that Hon. A. D. McLeod’s proposal that a rate should be struck on all lands adjoining certain rivers where erosion and flooding could be checked to some extent be approved. The chairman’s suggestion that the matter of river erosion should be left over until a representative meeting of all those interested in river erosion could be held was agreed to. The secretary stated that he had been requested by the executive of the Farmers’ Union to ascertain how many cars would be available in order to show the Canterbury farmers over Southland. Between 500 and 700 farmers would arrive from Canterbury in Invercargill, on Monday, March 26. The secretary stated, that he had been offered a large number of cars and drivers, but urgently required the promise of more, mentioning at the time that the Canterbury farmers on the occasion of the Southland farmers’ visit to Canterbury had done all in their power to make the visit as enjoyable as possible. The Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was making arrangements to supply afternoon tea for about 1000 people at the Gore Show grounds on Wednesday. The secretary asked for an opinion on the vexed question of daylight saving. All expressed their dissatisfaction with the Act, and Mr. Derrett moved: “That this branch is strenuously opposed to the Daylight Saving Act, and considers that if the townspeople have not the will power to rise an hour earlier in order to gain the extra hour for health and recreation purposes, but have to be assisted by Act of Parliament to do so, the farmer should not be penalized, as he already has to rise early without assistance not for purposes of sport but in order to make a living.” This was seconded by Mr. J. Clark and carried unanimously. Much regret was expressed at the meeting at losing Mr. J. Duncan, stationmaster at Riversdale, who has received promotion, all present agreeing that the union should place on record its appreciation of his courteous and obliging manner and busi-ness-like methods.