FARMERS' WANTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17470, 2 June 1922, Page 3

FARMERS' WANTS.

NORTH CANTERBURY FARMERS' UNION. ADDITIONAL REMITS FOE CONFERENCE. Several additional and important remits iiave been received for consideration at the annual conference of tho North Canterbury Farmers' Union, which opens in Christchurch nest Thursday. Under tho headings, "Taxation" and "Banking," are the following:— _ "That, in view of the Administration having appointed a committee to consider and report upon the incidence of taxation, we suggest: (1) That the Administration consider a proportionate levy on all external exchanges levied by the banking institutions upon the public ; (2) That the Administration consider an equitable levy from all banking institutions issuing notes, seeing that the economic deflation of values notv in process of operation is going to increase enormously the value of notes issued; (3) that the Administration relieve joint stock companies from paying income tax on dividends paid out on preference shares, as the payment of such dividends is in the nature of payment of interest on loans.'' "That tho Legislature bo asked to give statutory autho'itv for the establishment of co-onerative banks." Alter referring to "the appalling ignorance of primary economic principles displayed in the public controversies in connexion, witli the bonus reduction," conference is to be asked to affirm that "It is desirable that an educatonal and publicity campaign be organised." It is to be proposed that the duration of Parliament should be five years instead of three. Also that in the case of a vacancy in Parliament or on a tacal body, arising from a member resigning, the vacancy is to be filled by nomination, "unless a fresh election can be secured without cost to the public." Conference is to be asked to affirm "That as in many respects the Jury Act has outlived its usefulness, the time is overdue when radical changes may bo mrda that wi.l <_re.Uly facilitate the dispensation of justice." It is proposed that the Goivernmerit should be approached to evolve a remedy for the inconvenien'e an:l loss caused by delay in "prompt" payment for wool purchased by woolbrokers. "As the legislation on the Statute Book nt present affecting industries and unionism has regard only to distribution, or division of wealth," introduces a remit that declares that "it is highly expedient vliat- our legislators should turn their attention to legislation to encourage production," either by financial assistance or bv the establishment of co-operative industries. There are several other remits dealing with labour matters. One asserts: "iiilieving that our judges are neither influenced by class prejudice or by political patronage, we deem it of the first importance to industrial peace that the Administration should take full power to secure obedience to the just deci-

sions of the Courts (a) by taking power to control contributions to strike funds, and prohibit the export of funds to external disputes; (b) in limiting the trust of labour organisation to the amalgamation of unions in the same industries." Another remit desires Harbour Boards empowered to appoint permanent staffs to appoint permanent staffs of wharf labourers, and to lew a fair contribution from shipping for the maintenance of the same. A further remit «ads- "That the Legislature be asked to take immediate steps to protect the workers as far as possible against the risk of embezzlement of their funds by unscrupulous officials, inter alia, bv (a) raising the status of labour organisers in requiring them to pass an educational test: and (b) by the appointment of a public officer who, when requested bv any union, shall act as treasurer of its funds." A further remit says: "If the abolition of preference to unionists be inexpedient, this Union shall take steps to combat preference in awards where, during the currency of an award, flagrant breaches shall have tnken place, or where the efficiency of the worker is glaringly below par; with this object in view an attempt should be made to establish a standard of efficiency in each industry."