FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4372, 1 February 1922, Page 1

FARMERS’ UNION.

NGATEA BRANCH. A meeting of the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held in j the Ngatea Hall on Saturday after- ’ noon, Mr W. MeDuff occupying the ' chair in the- absence of the president, Mr W. G. Hayward. I MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, j Mr MeDuff explained that both Paeroa doctors, had refrained from visiting Ngatea. A meeting of resin dents should be, called to further a project of forming a medical association, or, as an alternative, the members should canvass the district. j Mr T. G. Davidson said that in one sense the time of! low prices was not 1 opportune for such an organisation, j Mr W. J. Clare thought that owing , to the bad state of the roads in the wet weather there would be difficulty ’ in obtaining a doctor from Paeroa; I Mr D. Green suggested that a meeting of settlers’ should be held on a picture night after the conclusion of the programme. i Mr A. Cleaver said a medical club j could be formed under the Government, who would appoint la doctor. i The secertary was instructed to 1 seek further information from the Health Department concerning the formation of a medical club on the • Hauraki Plains, f j ' RETENTION OF BONUSi ; Mr MeDuff, speaking regarding the ! withholding of a bonus by the N.Z. Dairy Company, said it was unfair to i withhold the bonus and also to reduce . the' price of butter-fat. i Mr Green said the company had to retain the money to finance the next ' season. i My Clare said that Taranaki factor'* ies/ which, under more difficulties, paid out more for butter-fat. j Mr Cleaver contended th,at a fariri- . er’s cheque was his wages, and he , was entitled to the full amount. The ’ company should not finance this year on the previous year’s money. [ The secretary was instructed to write to the Dairy Company protest- : Ing against the principle of using the , previous year’s money to finance this I year’s operations. RAILWAY MANAGEMENT, A circular letter from the provincial executive enclosed a~ suggestion from Mr A. E. Mander, of Shannon, to put the administration of railways under a board of managers, the board 1 to consist of (1) a chairman appointed by the Government; (2)' three rey presentatives of. railway workers — one elected by the technical staff, one by the Administrative staff, and one

by the rank and file. (3) Three representatives of the railway users—one elected by Parliament (tor the travelling public), one for the farmers unions (for A. and P. interests), and one for the ehambers-<cs commerce (for commercial intefefsts). Mr Davidson said that a great deal of revenue was lost to the railways by .the fact of a large number' of people having their own motor cars' and travelling by them. He would not say that the railway administration had not made mistakes, but the prevailing conditions had a great deal to do with the railways now running at a loss.

Mr Cleaver drew attention to the fact that numbers of useless lines were built in the South Island, that beingi.a reason for the railways; in the south running at a loss, ✓Mr Davidson said a railway from Paeroa to Pokeno would be of great. Importance and should be pushed ahead. He thought that political influence had a great de,al of effect on what lines were to be built. Mr, MeDuff supported the proposal embodied in the circular letter from the provincial executive. Mr Cleaver contended that the pro-t posal was almost an impossible feat, as it would require separate legislation to"put it into operation. The meeting decided to support whatever the executive considered necessary regarding the suggestion of placing the railways under a board .of managers. ELECTRIC POWER POLES. Mr Clare criticised the methods of the , Power Board in erecting poles on the ■ Hauraki Plains roads, wjiich were too narrow to take the poles. The permission of landjholders had now to be - obtained to put the poles bn private property. If a live wire killed a beast the Board was liable,. Tne men were putting in 30 poles a day. PARLIAMENTARY VISIT. The meeting passed a resolution that the Ngatea branch of the Farmers’ Union views wtih pleasure the interest other branches are taking in the projected Parliamentary tourIt was decided to hold a special meeting to fully discuss and to make arrangements for the Parliamentarians’ visit. ■ PROPOSED BAKERY. Mr Cleaver, speaking as secretary of the branch, said there was a likelihood 'off a baker taking up business at Ngatea in the near future. A baker had visited the district and had thought well of the proposition.