FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 21658, 21 March 1932, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE MONTHLY MEETING. I . At the monthly meeting of the South- ! land Provincial Executive of the NeW Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday there were present: Messrs E. K. Sim (president, in the chair), W. Ford, A. S. McNaught, || D. J. Heenan, W. Couser, R. Sim, F. J. Linscott, A. H. McLean, G. Earwaker, W. G. Mac Kay, T. McCann, G. A. Hamilton, I J. Johnston, S. Shaw, D. McDonald, E. J. i Evans, J. H. McLeod, L. Hill, D. Dickie, P. Arnott, F. Major, A. McKenzie, A. || Horne, J. R. Haigh, H. Cuthbert, J. E. || Dey, J. Mcßain and T. McMath. The question of the Government 121 per cent rebate on county rates not being I granted on rates paid after the due date | was discussed and it was resolved: "That this executive supports the Dominion Executive in its request that the 12£ per | cent, rebate on county rates be credited on all rates levied whether they be paid on the due date or not.” Organizer’s Report. The organizer (Mr 0. E. Neiderer) submitted the following report:— =» "I have completed a thorough canvass of the Aparima-Otautau district and am pleased to be able to say that the prestige of our union was probably never higher than it is to-day. The Women’s Division of our union is like a reinforcement to our ranks, giving new life to our movement, and the deepening depression is creating a spirit of loyalty amongst farmers—the same spirit that drove the Danish farmers together about 1845. Farmers to-day realize that no one is going to solve their problems but themselves, especially as the prices of our products are getting lower and lower, and the prices of what we have to buy (goods and services) remain stationary or rising higher. The general good feeling towards our organization in the AparimaOtautau district, and the carrying on of the branch when our Union was not as popular as it is to-day, is due to the tireless efforts of just a few men, as in most districts. Mr John Keen has well earned the honour of life membership conferred upon him some time ago, and this honour is due to Mr J. Evans (in due course) who has been chairman of the branch for nine years and served in that capacity north of Auckland before coming south; also Mr W. D. McCully, late secretary, who over a period of years carried out that thankless job of collecting the annual subscriptions. Mr James Ayton, the young and energetic new secretary, will not have this collecting to do, as most of the old and new members are on the order system. A total of 90 bank orders were signed, and 61 members will now pay their subscriptions direct to Dominion headquarters from their respective dairy factories. Well-known farmers throughout the district willingly assisted me in my work which raised the membership from 64 to 113. My thanks are due to them for their co-operation and also

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to the farming community for their hospitality.” Power Board Matters. A letter was received from the Waiau branch covering a letter from Mr H. Cuthbert (Sunnyside) protesting against his being forced to pay the full Power Board rate when the cost of installation on account of his distance from the existing ■ lines was prohibitive. He submitted figures to the effect that he would require to erect a line 41 miles long at an annual cost for five years of £350. It was decided to forward the letter to the Dominion office in order that the question might be taken up with the authorities. It was also decided to set up a committee consisting of. the president and Messrs Ford, McKenzie, Dickie and Ward to deal with Power Board matters arising from time to time. WOMEN’S DIVISION MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Invercargill branch of the Women’s Division of lhe Fanners’ Union was held on Saturday afternoon when Mrs Ward presided over an attendance of 50 members. The Home Science lecturers, Misses Reid and Crowe, wrote stating that they would be in Invercargill on Friday, April 8, and lecture on foods. Mesdames McDowell and Fosbender were appointed as a committee to visit the manual Training School at a date to be arranged by the Education Board. The Dominion secretary wrote stating that the Unemployment Committee desired the help of the division in obtaining positions for women and girls in the country. In necessitous cases the Government offered to subsidize the salary of the girl or woman sent out. These women would go into the country at from 10/- to £1 a week, and applications should be sent through the social advisory committee to the Dominion secretary who would bring them before the Unemployment Committee. Mesdames Lokan, McDonald, Russell and McDowell were appointed as a committee to make enquiries about the reprinting of the Southland W.D.F.U. cookery book and report to next meeting. At the conclusion of the business the president gave an instructive lecture and demonstration on the making of costumes, touching on choice of material, shrinking, fitting, making and putting on of the collars and pockets etc. She was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.