FARMERS’ UNION PROPOSALS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1931, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION PROPOSALS

STRATFORD EXECUTIVE MEETS. TEACHERS’ REMOTE ALLOWANCES. The sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union met at Stratford on Saturday. Those present were Messrs. M., G. Trotter (chairman), L. Bunn, Matthew Phillips, W. Norris and J. B. Norris (Mangaehu), N. B. Fryday (Ngaere), H. J. Marchant (Cardiff). J. Wallace (Douglas), W. Vickers (Midhirst), M. P. Ford (Makahu), E. Martell (Stratford) and D. Profitt (Whangamomona). Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., Dominion president of the union, also attended. With regard to the executive’s protest against the remote allowance of teachers being discontinued ,a letter was received from the South Taranaki branch of the Educational Institute. South Taranaki teachers, it was said, had always been keenly interested in the educational problems of the farming community and the feelilig had been expressed that in any proposed economies in education the probability was that the effect would bo most seriously felt by the country children. The stoppage of the grant towards Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs and of the remote allowance to teachers were examples. Should the Fanners’ Union at any time desire to meet representatives of the teachers to discuss problems affecting country children. the branch would be glad to cooperate. Mr. Polson mentioned that the institute had asked him to place a petition before the House of Representatives in connection With the withdrawal of the allowance and that would be done as soon a© the suitable opportunity offered. He stated that in the case of a country teacher whose salary was £240 there had been a 10 per cent, ent of £24 and an elimination of the remote allowance of £3O, making a total cut of £54, which was more than double the 10 per iscent. cut to which the similarly salaried town teacher was subjected. Under such conditions it was only, to be expected that the higher class teachers would not be inclined to apply for positions in the country. Tn that way the education of the country child would suffer. That had been done in the interests of economy but it was not a question of economy; it was one of educational policy. The Taranaki Power Board replied to the executive’s request that the last day on which discount would be allowed to country consumers should be made the 22nd of every month. The conditions of its license, the board stated, provided that only 14 days’ grace should be allowed after the reading of each meter. Therefore the board could not comply with the request for an extension of graeel Were /a fixed date appointed, there would be congestion in the office.

The Unemployment Board advised that at the present time there was no possibility of serious consideration being given to any suggestions for an increase in the subsidy under the 4b scheme. The representations would be Jcept in mind for the future.

Mr. Bunn reported that the deputation that visited Wellington to ask that the Government give assistance in the reerectibn of the Mangaehu bridge was given a sympathetic hearing and though no definite answer had been given it was fairly certain that help would be given. The Prime • Minister had said finance was the whole trouble but had admitted that the bridge should be built and that it was out -of the question to expect the county to stand the whole cost. The request had been greatly strengthened by Mr. A. Coyne, Makahu, who had had &, wealth of facts and figures to support his arguments. “That farm dairy instruction be made compulsory and that grading of milk be held in abeyance until such time as it can be seen if dairy instruction has achieved the necessary results,” was a remit introduced by Mr. H. A. Hunt and carried.

ELTHAM THEATRE. “THE RENEGADES.” All the romance, gusto, colour and dash of the Foreign Legion vivified in the story of a brave man, who joined up to escape the haunting memories of his past, only to have that past rise up and confront him when the woman who 'betrayed him appears to carry on her deadly work. He becomes a deserter when his attempt to kill her fails, and with his three comrades joins the Arabs and finds himself committed to lead the wild tribesmen against his former regiment, and who finally squares his account, but at a fearful price. That is the theme of “The Renegades,” showing to-night at Eltham. It is a thrilling story with Myrna Loy in the feminine lead opposite Baxter. Noah Beery, George Cooper, Bela Lugosi, C. Henry Gordon and other wellknown players are in the cast. The picture is a decided change from the usual run, and well worth seeing. “THE PRINCE AND THE DEMON.” BENEFIT PRESENTATION. There was a moderate attendance at the Eltham Town Hall on Friday evening to witness a repeat performance of the juvenile operetta, “The Prince and the Demon.” This was successfully presented a few weeks ago and the performance on Friday was given to aid the funds of the Plunket Society, Red Cross and Boy Scouts At the conclusion, the Mayor, Mr. I. J. Bridger, thanked the producers, Misses M. Madden and P. Vv’vlds, Mrs. J. A. Rankin and Mr. F. E. Silver for their excellent and untiring work. He assured them that their assistance was greatly appreciated by the societies which were to 'benefit. He complimented the artists on their efforts.

Tile costumes formed the subject of much admiration, both at this and the previous performance, and in this respect credit is due to Mrs. H. H. Marchant, who designed and assisted in the making of the frocks.