FARMERS' COLUMNS HAS MATAMATA THE WOMEN?

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 285, 24 April 1929, Page 6

FARMERS' COLUMNS

HAS MATAMATA THE WOMEN?

“TO SHAKE MEN' UP.” Farmers Are Doubtful. * Interesting J comments on a ■woman’s power were made at a meeting of the Matamata branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Wednesday. , i_j j J

, The discussion arose following a t letter from Mr. E. H. Fiesst, of j Cambridge, with regard to the for- | mation of a branch of the Women’s i Division, and referring to a tour I by Mrs. Poison, wife of the Domin--1 ion president. The chairman (Mr. T. H. Prowse) stated that in replying to the letter he had stated that he personally ! * would do what he could to arrange i ' for a visit from Mrs. Poison. He , | also advised that the men’s branch

was not strong. So far he had re- j ceived no answer. | ■ Mr. H. C. Eollett remarked that j there was no doubt that a branch did . go where there were a few keen j women to take the matter up. Some . women were too shy, however; but if there was only one keen woman she j could run a branch and make a sac- j cess of it. “Have we got one?” j asked the speaker. “ Personally I don’t know one amongst my acquaintances.” The chairman replied th at it would do no harm to help in the movement, and if established they might shake the men up. Further out in the dis- j triet a woman keen enough might be : found. j Mr. Eollett: Yes; it’s a leader that | is wanted.

“ Can anyone name any ladies? ” asked Mr. Simpson later in the evening, when the subject was again referred to. ! Mi-. West: It is useless unless you , can arouse enthusiasm. The chairman: Thar’s how to do it. j It is surprising what a wife can do J with y.ov at times. (Laughter), j A member: My wife would take a fit if I suggested her coming down here. (Laughter). Mr. West: It might do good. If we could turn our meetings into debates, and arrange to have discussions, and get the ladies in too, it i might arouse interest, j No further action was taken, and it was decided to await a reply from Mr. Feisst before embarking on the quest for a woman to lead.