AIDING WAR EFFORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 171, 10 June 1940, Page 6

AIDING WAR EFFORT

FARMERS' HANDICAPS

FAIR CHANCE REQUESTED

The impossibility of farmers assisting the war effort by increased production Avhen every obstacle was thrown in their way was stressed by Captain F. fcolbeck, of Moiv rinsville, when officially ( opening the 40tli annual Auckland provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Farmers were ahxious to help the war effort in every way possible but they had to be given a fair chance, he said. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. said in a broadcast that he had no objection to fair criticism, Captain Colbeck said. "Is it fair criticism if we question whether the way Ik* more production is higher wages aind less hours or if we doubt that strikes and go-slow tactics will help? Will it help production if all costs are increased? - Captain' Colbeck also asked if it was fair of Mr Fraser, who said he would follow Britain, to delay form ing a national government. All sec-' tions- of the community should' be represented. "Is it fair that one side of the House earn have control of the air and blackguard all who do not agree with them?" he added. "Is it fair that a paid Government official should have the use of the air for the same purpose?" Was it fair that one woman should send her son to the front at 7s a day while another could keep hers at home at 14s a day to smoke cigarettes and go to the pictures, Jje .said. National Government Desired. "We should insist that there is a national government,*" he said amid applause. "We should make it clear that we believe that every able-bodied man should go to the front if required." % Dealing specifically with the ques tion of farmers' costs, Captain Colbeck said that that was the one essential upon which members of the industry should concentrate. "Costs must be reduced if there is to bei any future left for New Zealand/' he said. "High costs have become a serious obstacle f<?r farmers, who will increase production if given a reasonable chance, but who cannot do so against increasing obstacles." The last straw was the Government's instruction to the Arbitration Court to increase wages in accordance with the cost of living, because costs had been raised as a direct result of shorter hours and high wages, Captain 'Colbeck added. The average farmer could not pay the wage demanded and ma We ends meet. "A major fact }in costs in New Zealand is high tariffs," said Mr R. Parlane, of Waimamaku. "One great problem is the effect of raising customs duties on industries which compete in the world's markets. High wages handicap the farmer by making labour flock from the country to the towns, with the result that the burden is passed back to the country."