FARMERS' UNION POLICY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 70, Issue 81, 13 June 1944, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION POLICY

DISCUSSION BY CONFERENCE RE-ORGANISATION SCHEME

The question of the re-organisa-tion of the N.Z. Farmers' Union and the scope, of its activities was (Lis-' cussed at the annual Auckland Provincial Conference of the Union on May avid 24. The subject was introduced on May 23 by Mr J. 11. Furniss (vicepresident). He moved that a committee of three be appointed to consider the question, and to report regarding a plan of action. Mr R. H. Feisst (life member) moved as an amendment that the committee consist of five members. This was carried by 52 votes to 28. Nine delegates were nominated for election to the committee. A ballot resulted in the choice of the following: Messrs Scott Davidson (Whangarci), J. H. Furniss, A. C. A. Sexton (vice-presidents), E. Palliser (Waihou) and E. R. Bird (Awanui). The committee was directed to sit immediately and to report to the conference. It submitted a report on May 24. The portioi} not taken in committee is as follows:— "In view of the continuous, decline in production of primary products and the loss to the nation in numbers of farmers and stock, the deteriorating grass lands and farm equipment, the committee recommends that the following plan should be implemented in both, the farm- . and national interests:— "The vocation of, farming, which is our basic wcalth-prducing industry, should be placed on an attractive basis in relation to other industries, such attractions to provide:— (1) Adequate monetary reward for the farmer, his employees and .all those closely associated with him in production. This adequate reward to be held in relationship to costs to provide for a production plan of net less than 10 years. "(2) Suitable conditions of work, (s) Security in property.

"Existing conditions should be changed in order to restore confidence, dignity and zeal, and these ehanges will includc: (a) The restoration and further development of producer .control over manufacture and marketing of his produce; (b) The fostering of co-operative ownership and control wherever practicable; (c) The reversion to the status of farmers for Income Tax to that prevailing prior to* 1939; (d) Remit (1) on Order Paper as carried, viz : "That a campaign for the complete de-rating of farm lands (except for such rates as Drainage and Rabbit Board rates) be instituted throughout the Dominion and that it be carried on without cessation until success is achieved." "Definition of Objective: Agricultural land and agricultural buildings are deemed to have no rateable value and no particulars with respect to them arc to lie included in the valuation list. No person is liable to pay rates in respect of such land and buildings and no person may be deemed to be in rateable occupation of them; they are not to be included in any rate made. " 'Agricultural land' means any land used as arable, meadow or pasture ground only, land used for a plantation or a wood or for the growth of saleable underwood, land exceeding one-quarter of an acre used for the purpose of poultry farming, cottage gardens exceeding one-quarter of an acre, market gardens, nursery grounds, orchards or allotments. "'Agricultural buildings' means buildings (other than dwelling houses occupied together Avith cultural land or being or forming part of a market garden, and in either case used solely in connection with agricultural operations thereon. "(e) The amending of the Land Sales Act to provide for economic justice for farmers."

"Comments on (1) Price: The monetary rewards paid to producers of all primary products since havt; been proved by experiefice to be quite inadequate as; indicated b}- the decline in production, and a* much higher basis oi' reward is called for. The declines in dairy production, whilst to a large extent inllueneed by shortage of fertilisers, .seasonal, variation and manpower, are also influenced very seriously by the number of other psychological factors, e.g. a sense of frustration . '"(2) Labour: A large proportion of farm labour is provided by the family unit, particularly in dairy farming, but in all cases the monetary reward for labour must be substantially increased in order to attract the best type of labour: also, suitable housing conditions are a necessity. "(3) Securitj' of Property-; It is essential that the security and hopeful outlook of our pioneers be maintained . "In all negotiations ihe committee holds it to be -desirable that the Farmers' Union does not become associated with either of the main political parties as such, being concerned with results and benefits accruing to tiie industry."

"Means of Attainment: It is felt that farmers arc looking to the Union for a lead in some specific action a.s the only remaining means of securing the objective as set out above. To meet this demand it is considered desirable to proceed immediately on that part of the plan to remove the. rating injustices from the land. The means of attainment of the complete plan must be kept sufficiently elastic to permit of a change of tactics from time to time, but care must be taken that at 110 time, arc the main objectives prejudiced. "The first step in this plan was the decision taken on the hospital rating issue; following upon that, we recommend an intensive canvass of the ratepayers in the ridings in all the counties Avhere. our campaign has been as yet .unsuccessful. Calling upon the councillors to support the refusal to authorise the payment of the hospital levy. Concurrently with this, steps be taken to secure the co-operation of the Provincial Press by supplying them, with detailed reports on Farmers' Union activities and organising support for tliem from our members in increased circulation, advertising, etc. "Press on with the appeal for a Fighting Fund to finance present and future activities. Supplementary to this, outside organisation be the job of a special officer who, while under the general authority of the Organising Committee and> Secretary, be given considerable latitude in using his own initiative as to methods in carrying out. the polic3 r , within the limits of finance available, "Encouragement where applicable of local 6rganisation. methods so successfully adopted in the Wellsf.ord area. This jilan of action to be explained throughout the Province at every centre as quickly as time and availability of speakers permits, "If the Government force the payment of the levy, organisation at once, proceed to induce County Councils to refuse to levy rates for roading purposes., and steps be taken to fullj r explain this development to ratepayers.

"If the Government then takes stejDS to enforce payment of such rates or to run counties on a commission basis, they be informed that unless such action be abandoned and derating instituted, serious action by farmers will be inevitable.' The President: You do not advocate any subversive action, such as a strike, during the Avar. Mr Furniss: No: certainly not. The President: I wished to make that clear as you made, a jocular remark about going to prison. The President said that the report represented an attempt to provide something that they could nail on their mast and to Avhich they could point when they were asked "what do you want?" The plan now submitted Avould .show what they desired in order to be able to place their industry on its proper level and to enable them to do justice to themselves and to their employees.