FEDERATED FARMERS HAVE FULL PROGRAMME

Chronicle (Levin), 26 July 1947, Page 3

FEDERATED FARMERS HAVE FULL PROGRAMME

Economic, political and industrial matters — including the question of the applicatlon of Ihe 40-hour week principle to primary production — will be considered by the annual confcrence of Federated Farmers, which will sit in Wellington on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week. Branches of Federated Farmers having expressed concern at the lack of cooperation and the antagonism existing between various sectious of tho community, the confcrence will consider a remit urging the convening of a confcrence of tho leadfirs of all sections — both employers and cmployces — with a view to linding a conimon ground whereby all miglit wrork together for the comruon good. Mr. H. E. Blyde, acting president of Federated Farmers, has alroady proposed to the Prinie Minister that such a confcrence be held. Other remits will deal with the conference's views on strikes and stoppages of wbrlc generally, and a concrete proposal may be made which, if adopted, would do much to limit aetions which the farmers feel are undermining the economic stability of the country. Many of the remits are controversial, and will involve discussion on current Goverument policics regarding secondary industries, import duties, embargoes and quotas on necessities of life and on raw materials, and on the Government 's monetary poliey. Immigration, with its allied subject, -the present acute shortage of farm labour, will be fully discussed. Federated Farmers have long felt that without more labour for farms production must be affected, with a cons^quqnt drop in the standard of living. Federated Farmers have definite views on stabilisation,. rehabilitation and taxation, and numerous remits expressing the considered opinions of the brahehes of the organisation on those subjeets occupy a major portion of the agenda paper. , Shipping problems, the congestion at major ports and tho pressure on the raiiway system, the high cost of txansport, and work on the waterfront on food ships are other subjeets which will jeceive close attention,