N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 84, 30 May 1918, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Matamata Branch Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Matamata branch of the N.Z. Farmers' union was held on Friday. The evening was wet, and consequently only a few members, Messrs G. J. Duxfield (in chair), A. A. Bowler, E. E. Bowler, J. W. Simpson, J. Pickup, M. Madill, E. C. Banks, J. Adlam, C. Wallace and the secretary, were present. AGENDA PAPERS. One agenda paper, brought from Auckland by a member of the executive, was before the meeting, and it was stated that the delegates or secretary of the branch had not received copies. Owing to the inconvenience caused it was decided that a letter be forwarded to the executive drawing attention to the fact. STOCK TRAINS. : The Provincial secretary, writing with reference to the branch's letter re stock trains, said that the district traffic manager had informed him that under the new time-table the goods train leaves Frankton for Putaruru at 1.50 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This will enable stock loaded at Ohaupo on these days to reach Matamata the same afternoon. The members expressed satisfaction with the arrangement, Mr Simpson saying that some considerable amount of stock travelled between Ohaupo and Matamata. LOCAL MATTERS. On Mr Bowler's motion it was decided to again write to the Hon. W. H. Hemes asking him to provide for the erection of a stationmaster's residence'at Matamata ; that it was practically impossible to rent a suitable house, and that the district could not be expected to keep an efficient married officer unless suitable housing accommodation was provided. It was decided that the support of the Matamata Town board be asked in connection with the matter. Mr E. C. Banks reported that, in response to overtures made, extensive improvements were to be made to the Matamata school. Two extra class-rooms would be provided, also a teacher's room. The additional accommodation would be enough for from 100 to 120 children. REMITS.. The remits to be before the annual conference were considered by the meeting. ENDOWMENT LANDS. It was decided to support the remits (one from Putaruru) asking the Government to give tenants holding endowment leases the right to purchase the freehold. RETURNED SOLDIERS. "To send some returned soldiers on to virgin land away in the back-blocks would tend to drive them mad after the excitement of war," said Mr J. W. Simpson. He thought part of one remit, urging the setting up of advisory boards, composed of farmers to assist the Government in selecting suitable lands, was good. Mr A. Bowler: All lands should be roaded and drained before they are offered. (Hear, hear). Mr Banks suggested that some estates could be worked by companies of returned men under an efficient farmer; the soldiers to receive wages until the land is improved, and the land then to be subdivided, saddled with the extra cost and offered to the men who had worked on it. It was decided to leave the delegates a free hand in the matter. PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. The branch decided unanimously to instruct its delegates to oppose the remit from Huntly West, which read as follows: — "That as the farmers produce the bulk of exports of this country it is .imperative that they should be directly represented in Parliament in order that they may be able to protect themselves against combinations such as the Meat Trust and the shipping combine, which tend to mercilessly exploit both producer and consumer. We therefore urge that the Farmers' union executive form a Parliamentary representation committee to ensure the return of union nominees at the general election. The nominees to stand, and, if elected, to act purely as Farmers' union representatives, their policy to be dictated by the union executive, and they to be free from all alliance, direct or indirect, with any other political party or party leader in Parliament." i Members thought the suggestion was most unfair; members of Parliament were elected to

represent the whole of the people in a district, and to work for them and the Dominion generally. MAIN ARTERIAL ROADS. In discussing the remits re the Government taking over the main arterial roads Mr A. Bowler said that if the Government continued to show interest in the arterial roads the suggestion would be alright. But, if the side roads were to be neglected to provide good main roads, then the small settlers would be penalised for the benefit of travellers, etc. It was mostly from motorists that the suggestions were emanating. The delegates were given a free hand on this question also. Other remits were fully discussed, the delegates thus receiving an indication of opinion of members.