GREYTOWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1941, Page 7

GREYTOWN

FARMERS’ UNION ADDRESS BY DOMINION SECRETARY. (“Times-Age” Special.) Mr A. O’Shea, Dominion Secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, was present at the annual meeting of the Greytown branch of the Farmers’ Union, held at Morison’s Bush on Tuesday evening. In a round table talk he gave those present an idea of the inner workings of the Dominion Executive. Mr O’Shea said that the Farmers' Union was in a very strong position and the problems of the day called for renewed efforts from all concerned. The producers of this country must unite to protect their own interests, not only for the present but for the future. Today the farmer should build up his quality stock on sound lines and get rid of poor quality stock, so that he would be able later to start again on a better foundation when the world markets were again open. This was a time when diseased stock could be wiped right out. The manure question was causing the farmers grave concern but Mr O’Shea stated that his executive was watching the position very carefully. Truck impressment had caused the farmers great concern, but if a farmer wanted to keep his truck he should state his case as fully as possible, giving all the details, not just the outlines, said Mr O’Shea. The farmers must realise that the requirements of the army had to be met. Among the items that the Dominion Executive had watched very carefully were the excess profit tax and, standard values for farmers, while hides and skins were being dealt with by a special committee. Mr A. Haigh asked if anything had been done in respect to manure bags. Mr O’Shea replied that the Minister had promised an early investigation of this matter.

HOME GUARD MOTOR CYCLE UNIT. The motor- cycle members of the Greytown Home Guard are showing remarkable zeal in learning their duties. On Sunday a party of twenty set out to explore the Lower Valley to Palliser Bay. Riding in correct formation and at specified speed this unit collected valuable information, in respect to the condition of roads and possible crossings of the Ruamahanga River. On their return to Greytown a report and sketch map was handed to the unit commander. There are a few vacancies still in this unit. These young men are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm. They not only give their time but also provide their own benzine. CANADIAN VISITOR

INQUIRY INTO MARKETING PROBLEMS. A distinguished visitor from America, Mr H. Bronson Cowan, was present at the annual meeting of the Greytown branch of the Farmers’ Union. Mr Cowan was general secretary of the Council of Agriculture of Canada, and is now touring the Dominion as representative of the Division of Marketing and Transportation Research, Bureau of. Agricultural Economics, United States Department of Agriculture. Mr Cowan said that in the vast country of Canada, the same problems concerned the farmers there as in New Zealand. Mr Cowan said that he was disappointed at the lack of news in New Zealand papers as to Canada and her war efforts. Canada was doing everything possible and was 100 per cent with the Empire. She had 100 air fields, 25,000 airman in training in 2 years, had constructed air runways in concrete amounting to 800 miles, and 600 trucks were produced daily in Canada.

In the United States, he said, there were 12,000 employees in the Department of Agriculture. The system of financing the farmers in the United States was very much ahead of anything in other countries. Cheese was sold in Canada at weekly sales. The farmers of Canada were desirous that the producers of the Empire should get together and try to assist'in the marketing of Empire products. There were 600,000 farmers in the Canadian Agricultural Federation. Part of his duty on this tour was to discuss the problems which would have to be faced after the war. The same thing applied in Canada as here —they were swinging over from butter to cheese to help the Empire. Mr Cowan, who is also deeply interested in education is making a study of the system in New Zealand. The system of finance and staffing in Canada was governed by the provinces, and Mr Cowan said he was convinced that New Zealand’s national system was much, better. There were instances in Canada of some schools being lavish, both in buildings and salaries and in others just the reverse was the case. Mr Cowan was heartily applauded for his most interesting address. National Government Favoured. At the conclusion of the annual meeting Mr W .A. Tate moved: “That in the interests of the Empire a National Government should be formed immediately.” The motion was carried.

From Birmingham: A housewife busy clearing up the dust that had come through her broken windows — ‘Well, there’s one thing about this blitz. It keeps you busy and you forgets the war.”