FARMING COSTS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1928, Page 1

FARMING COSTS

THE NATIONAL INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. The Minister of Labour expects witli-

| in a few days to announce the preliminaries of a movement which may develop into a very thorough investigation of the economic position of New Zealand farmers. The question first came into prominence through the efforts of the Government to pass an amendment of the Arbitration Act exempting farming and allied occupations from any of the restrictions of awards of the Arbitration Court. The original measure met with such a generally critical reception last session that the Labour Rills Committee cut out two-thirds of its provisions. There was further opposition and the Government ultimately deleted the remaining part of the Bill, substituting a clause which lias the effect of suspending any further alterations in awards relating to the farming industry or the creation of new awards until late this year, the object being to give time for a general investigation of the whole question. It became recognised by all parties

in this controversy that much more was involved in tie difficulties of the farmer than labour conditions, and the Prime Minister undertook to have the matter investigated on comprehensive lines during the recess. He named as a committee to prepare preliminaries of the inquiry: Messrs Waite (CTutlia), Nash (Palmerston). Sir John Luke (Wellington), and the Prime Afinister, representing the Government, Alessrs P. Fraser (Wellington). Savage (Auckland West), deputy-leader of the Labour Party. G. W. Forbes (Nationalist leader) and Ransom (Pahiatua). This committee will he called together at an early date and will dismiss plans for organising the investigation of many factors involved in farming costs. The intention of the Government is to make this investigation a.s wide as possible in the way of securing the best information and opinions bearing on the subject. Probably the whole recess will lie required before conclusions are reached which will assist the Government to legislate when Parliament meets.