FARMERS’ UNION

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 54, 26 November 1921, Page 10

FARMERS’ UNION

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE PLANS IN EVENT OF TROUBLE By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, November 25. At a meeting of the provincial executive of tho Farmers’ Union at. Marton to-day a lengthy letter was received from Mr. W. J. Polson, the president, dealing with various matters. Referring to the freezing works situation, ho stated that he had instructed the Dominion secretary to discuss tho matter with tho chairman of the Labour Committee and the freezing companies who had suggested that the Farmers’ Union should be ready to assist in the event of the men carrying out their announced intention of accepting nothing less than tho wage received last year. The secretary had therefore sent telegrams to all executives stating that it was important that freezing companies should receive the necessary support from Farmers’ Union volunteers should trouble occur. The chairman (Mr. C. Smith) said that he did not think there would be any trouble about getting men to work if it was known that the farmers would rise to the occasion. The meeting concurred. Co-operative Programme. Reviewing the progress made in both islands in connection with the Farmers’ Union co-operative programme, Mr. Polson wrote that he thought ft was desirable to keep the scheme prominently before the Government. It was evident that if this was not done no steps would ba taken to provide producers with protective legislation of any value. Ho had recently invited the Co-operative Federation to join with the union in setting up a joint committee with representation from fire dairy associations and farmers and tho Freezing Companies’ Association to discuss the details of a handling and marketing scheme and get a forward step taken regarding accumulated stocks of moat. The president wont on to state that, acting under instructions from Mr. Hughes, the Australian Agents-Gener.al were co-operating to formulate a scheme for getting rid of their accumulated stocks of frozen meat which were depressing prices and undermining the reputation of Australian meat. No doubt delegates would recollect that two and a half years ago a commission was s>et up to proceed Home to endeavour to have something of the sort done. Tho situation created through this accumulation of State meat had practically ruined the Dominion’s trad" and had been almost entirely responsible for the low prices at which our meat was now quoted. It seemed to 'him that the uniofi should at once hack up Mr. Hughes and insist on tho GoQwnment taking, even at this late date some steps to have this position remedied- Independent resolutions from tho provinces would assist in this direction Taxation. Continuing, Mr. Polson said that strong influence were being brought to bear in opposition to any scheme of retrenchment which the farmers’ agitation for reduced taxation might necessitate and it would be necessary to wnlch the situation closely and not relax their efforts in that direction. He was personally of the opinion that the Government’s proposals did not go far enough. The proposed oxnendifure for this year was over one million pounds greater than last year, which wa® n record year. It was exnocted that still greater pressure would have to be brought upon the Gover/rme.nt. ’ After n brief discussion the meeting unanimously decided, that in view of the very unsatisfactory position of the producers and the burden of taxation they were row hearing, drastic and immediate retrenchment was necessary in every possible direction. The resolution is to be sent direct to the Prime Minister. In connection with the other points touched upon bv tho president the me’eting adopted a 'resolution endorsing the action of Mr. Polson regarding co-oner-ative shipping io further the handling and marketing of the Dominion’s produce and directing special attention to th" handling of meat in New Zealand and England.