FARM PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 153, 16 July 1937, Page 8

FARM PROBLEM

Conf erence of Einpire Producers CONVENED IN AUSTRALIA A: proposal was made last year by agricultural - leadere ■ in Canada that a confeTence of-the- primary . producers of the Empire should be held'.at an early date with a view. to establishing closer" relationship between 'the . producers of the' oversea Dominions - and those' of Great Britain. The suggestion .was cordially supporfced by producer organisations in other JDoininions.. It was iKiinted out that it was impossible- to arrive at a satisfactory solution of the problems which taca the industry * and areT daily be^ coming" - more acute without collective action. Only by personal contact could the necessary machinery for consultation and research be established. As Australia next year will celebrate the 150th. anniversafy of her first white settlement, it has been decided to -hold the conf erence in March at Sj'diiey, New South Wales, the mother State of the Commonwealth. A corornittee of producers has been. established to carry out the work of organisa--tion, and Mr M. P. Dunlop, a member of the New'South Wales Legislativo Council and a prominent leader in Australian agjriculture, ■ has been appointed chairman. Mr Dunlop is general president of the Primary Producers' Union of- New -South Wales, -amember of the Dairy Produce (Export) Board. and is closely identified with - many other important agricultural' organisar tions in Australia. ^ J A comprehensive agenda has been drawn up by leading producer organisations of primary producers ' in Great Britain. Canada. South Africa and New Zealand -for additions of " amendments that may be deemed necessary. "Most of the difficulties *the farmer encounters are economio. arising out of marketing conditions," Mr Dunlop explained repently when outlinihg the objects of the conf erence to a Sydney correspondent, "and they are, of cours» common not alone to the farmer of Australia but to his confreres in Great Britain and the sister Dominions. Manv of these difficulties. we feel,, can ba overcome if we' first. remove the misunderstandings that so f requently ariso through clash of interest due to competition among component units of the Empire. "The conf erence will deal with fundamental problems in a straightfor ward manner. The delegates will be all experts in the industry, who daily face the cold reality of the present position and consequently little timo will be lost in coming to practical decisions." - The Federal and State Governments are anxious to make the conference a success.' A series of interesting tours has been arranged, and free travel faciiities over the railway system will be accorded the delegates.