FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20886, 23 September 1929, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE. MONTHLY MEETING. Tiie monthly meeting of the Southland executive of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union was held on Saturday. There were present Messrs R. Sim (president, in the chair), J. J. Crampton, W. H. Ward, P. Arnott, L. Woodfield, E. Bowmar, J. Johnston, J. Mcllwrick, S. Shaw, W. Couser, J. Blackmore, G. Calder, 0. E. Niederer, F. Walker, T. Hanning, A. H. McLean, Thomas McCann, H. Smith, L. Hill, E. K. Sim, J. 11. McLeod, J. Cowie, A. McKenzie, A. R. Johnston, D. Dickie and T. Major. It was decided to donate a shield valued at £l2 to the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs Association for competition among schools, details of the conditions to be decided by the Association. Waikiwi Member’s Suggestion.

Mr G. F. Boyd, of Waikiwi, wrote stating that a suggestion had been put to him as possibly a matter of interest and one worth the while of the union in taking lip. The suggestion was that a qualified veterinary surgeon should be engaged for the Southland district to be at the call of any farmer requiring his services. A small payment by every owner of stock would provide sufficient to pay his salary. / The letter was referred to the Invercargill branch. British Farmers’ Tour. The Dominion secretary forwarded proposed itineraries for the visit to New Zealand of a party of 80 British farmers, who will be in the Dominion from February 2U, 1930, to March 25. The party would also be accompanied-by a party of South African farmers. The itineraries provided for a visit to Southland after a comprehensive tour of the northern districts. According to the first itinerary the party would be divided at Rotorua rejoining again at Christchurch. The visitors would reach Queenstown from Cromwell on Monday, March 17, and would travel to Invercargill on Wednesday, March 19, returning north to Timaru on Friday, March 21. The second itinerary provided for the entire party to travel together reaching Queenstown on Saturday, March 15, travelling to Invrecargill on Monday, March 17, and leaving for Dunedin on Wednesday, March 19.

THE WOMEN'S BIVISION

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Girl Guide rooms on September 21, when the president, Mrs Niederer, presided over an attendance of 59 members.

It was reported that members' badges were obtainable from the secretary if desired and that Mrs Gray would like orders for Tui’s Annual as soon as possible. It was arranged to ask Mr A. E. Featherstone to lecture on the League of Nations at next meeting at 11.30 a.m. The thanks of the division are due to Misses May and Kennedy, Otautau, for a donation of £2 1/-, the proceeds of a euchre party. A letter of thanks was sent by the secretary to the executive of the Farmers’ Union for the generous allotment of space in the Southland provincial annual report.

The secretary read a circular from headquarters regarding housekeeping rules. The decentralization of the scheme is desirable, and it is advisable to pay £1 10/-, rising to £2 after the second year’s service. Dominion cookery recipes accompanied by threepence are wanted as soon as possible, and should be forwarded to the secretary.

A rally week is to be held at a later date to obtain new members. A friendly competition is to be entered into, and a prize given to the branch obtaining most members. At the last conference it was decided to endeavour to obtain 100 life members at a subscription of £5. This gives them the right to attend ail meetings at any branch in New Zealand, the fund from the subscriptions to be set aside for a specific purpose.

The secretary read the progress report for September. Headquarters will be moved to Wellington on September 30. Mesdames Niederer, Ward and Russell and Smith (Gore) did good organizing work on their way back from the conference, with the result that a central committee was formed in Christchurch and a branch at Ashburton. Mrs McLeod (Gore) was responsible for the formation of a branch at Darfield, Canterbury. Mesdames Niederer, Russell, Ward and Miss McKenzie former! a strong branch in Winton, with Mrs Smith as president, Mesdames Cowie and Moore vice-presidents and Miss Cowie as secretary. Branches have also been formed at Awakere, Atoke and Maungakarame in the North Island. A total of £6-1 10/- has been received from all branches towards the earthquake relief, also bundles of clothing and blankets, etc.

Letters have been received thanking the Women’s Division for the interest taken in the welfare of the women and children of the earthquake area and stating that the women appreciated the hospitality, but at present desired to go back to their homes. The relief given by sending clothes and crockery was much appreciated. At the present time there does not appear to be anything that can be done. The following extract from a letter to the Dominion president from Mr H. Sykes, M.P., will convey to the general opinion at the present time: “The M.P’s. representing the earthquake area —Messrs Holland and Black—report that as far as they can discover there are no women in that area desirous of taking advantage of the kind offices of their sister women in the Wairarapa. The women are all very anxious to get back to their homes as soon as possible. Messrs Holland and Black desire me to offer to you and those associated with you their grateful thanks for the sympathetic offer made by yourselves.”

Mrs McDonald proposed that Mrs Smith be asked to interview an earthquake sufferer in the Winton district and use her discretion assisting him.

Mrs Russell gave an interesting report on the housekeeping scheme. The housekeeper is engaged until the middle of December and two other emergency housekeepers are open for engagement. Mrs Ward, Lumsden division, reported on a gardening day held at her home during the month. Messrs Lennie and Dallas, of the Department of Agriculture, gave a very instructive demonstration on seed sowing and tree pruning. A suggestion was made that the secretary get in touch with Mr Dallas and arrange a demonstration next year.

It was left to the president to arrange a poultry demonstration for October 19 if possible. Mr Niederer reminded members about the stall to be held at the Royal Show in December.