FARMERS’ UNION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4044, 6 May 1938, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

TE AWAMUTU BRANCH. MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held yesterday, Mr W. G. Neill, senior vicepresident, occupying the chair, and there was a representative attendance of members of the executive. The chairman briefly reported on the address given last month by Mr S. W. Burnard, of Wellington, on his recent investigational tour of the European countries where dairying is an important enterprise. Mr Neill said the address was a particularly interesting and educative one, and was thoroughly enjoyed. Mir G. T. Crawley said he had received a letter from Mr Burnard expressing gratification at the reception accorded him in Te Awamutu and the branch’s hospitality on that occasion. MISCONSTRUED. Mr G. R. Lawry drew attention to Hamilton comment that Te Awamutu branch of ’ the Farmers’ Union is merely urging the provision of a good road between Kawhia and the railway, but was not specifying any particular route. Th« Hamilton association needed correction.—lt was decided to clarify the position in a letter to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. FARM MANAGER SCHEME. Morrinsville branch wrote asking for fuller information on the relieving farm manager scheme, and the secretary stated he had forwarded particulars as detailed by Mr D. H. Cavers at last meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive. It was stated that details of the scheme had also bcien supplied to the Pio Pio branch and to the editor of the “N.Z. Exporter.” 4F SCHEME. The secretary’s action in writing to the certifying officer, Te Awamutu supporting an application under the 4F scheme for an extension for a further six months in respect to employment of a man by a district farmer, was approved.

CONFERENCE BUSINESS. Mr G. T. Crawley gave a resume of the principal business dealt with at last Waikato provincial conference, and commented that it was regrettable that remits from Te Awamutu were all well down the list and thus were considered when the attendance at the conference' had dwindled. Most of the subjects referred to by Mr Crawley were published in the Courier reports of the conference deliberations. SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS. The chairman referred to the need for improvement of the railway transport system, and told of a suggestion made to him to the effect that the authorities should be urged to provide stn additional goods train to run at night time and thus expedite delivery of fertilisers and lime required on farms. In the discussion, which was quite favourable, it was stated that the delays arei occasioned through acute shortage of railway trucks, and the 40-hour week in the fertiliser works. Mr G. R. Lawry said the authorities had recently diverted dozens of trucks that would normally be used for fertilisers and lime for the distribution of a shipload of timber brought from the West Coast to Onehunga in connection with the State Housing scheme. It was suggested that a cruising engineer should be put on the line between Frankton and Te Kuiti to pick up all available trucks at wayside stations, and thus expedite deliveries. The matter is to be brought before the Waikato provincial executivemeeting, seeking support of the representations to the railway authorities. A FARM 1 SCHOOL. Mr Neill asked if it was desired, during the winter months, to organise somthing in the nature of a farm school, such as had proved very informative seven or eight years ago in Te Awamutu. Addresses could be given, by recognised authorities. The question was asked whether the Young Farmers’ Clubs in the district could not be fostered by holding a farm school. Several members spoke in favour of promoting a farm school in Te Awamutu and the chairman and secretary were asked t.o inquire if such a school could be arranged, with an alternative of arranging a series of addresses spread over a longer period.