FARMERS UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 2 July 1937, Page 12

FARMERS UNION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT REMITS. Remits dealing with a large number of questions of interest to the rural community are to be discussed at the annual Dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union which will commence in Wellington on Wednesday, July 14. The conference will be opened by the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and following His Excellency’s speech addresses will be given by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Lee Martin) and by the Dominion president of the union, Mr W. W. Mulholland, Darfield. The conference is expected to last several days. Tho platform of the union, which has been brought up-to-date by a special committee, will be discussed by the conference in conjunction with the relevant remits relating to policy planks in the platform. A remit from the combined conference at Dannevirke protests against any further interference with private enterprise by the Government. Pending the adoption of a compensated price principle which will automatically fix producers’ returns in accordance with the exchange value of their products, the Auckland and South Taranaki provinces will submit a remit urging that prices of primary products be revised from year to year to allow for rising costs. 'The following remit will be submitted from the combined provincial conference at Dannevirke: “That as the farming industries of this country are tho basic industries, the rates of profit and remuneration in these industries should be the base of interest and the other rates of wages in New Zealand, particularly public works. Wo would emphasise the fact that this is the only sound economic course for New Zealand to take.”

Free trade within the Empire is advocated in a Nelson remit which also urges a lowering of farm costs, more assistance to enable people to take up careers on the land in preference to fostering or protecting uneconomic industries, and the necessity for keeping selling values of land at a level that, while giving to the seller a fair return for improvements, will also give to the purchaser a reasonable chance to make a living. A protest against farmers’ trucks being subject to the transport licensing system if operated to carry their own produce only without reward is contained in a Nelson remit. The abolition of heavy traffic fees on farmers’ own trucks is advocated by North Canterbury. A remit from the North Taranaki district urges the Government to run a State lottery, and a remit will be moved on behalf of North Canterbury advocating a national scheme of compulsory superannuation. " CURRENCY CONTROL. Currency will be discussed on the following remit from Auckland: That the New Zealand Farmers’ Union closely scrutinise the use of the powers taken in the Reserve Bank Amendment Act and exert its influence to ensure that new credit shall be put into circulation only through channels which will put purchasing power into tho hands ot the New Zealand consumer, without having to bo charged into the costs ot the producer. We affirm our belief that expansion of our money supply under the orthodox debt system can only pioduce the usual ascending spiral ot costs and prices -so detrimental to producer and worker, and that m a monetary policy directed toward closing the gap between purchasing power and prices lies the only possibility of a standard of living consonant with our present ana potential production.” , . Auckland, Otago, North laranaki, South Taranaki, North Canterbury, Southland and the combined conference at Dannevirke have forwarded remits recommending the Government to set up an expert commission to go into the question of amalgamation of local bodies and hear evidence. The intention of the Government to cancel long haulage carriers licenses is viewed with alarm m remits from Nelson, South Taranaki and . the combined conference at Dannevirke the view is expressed that, the present seivice to tho country consumer and producer is one that should be retained and that transport services should not bo a monopoly of the State. There are remits from South Taianaki and Nelson recommending that nd suggested schemes for the immigration of youths from Great Britain foi faim work in the Dominion be carefully examined by the Dominion executive with a view to arriving at the most suitable scheme for immediate adoption. Remits for discussion dealing with farm labour are:— h„,.„i “That as regards the Agricultuial Workers Art and half-holidays, a greater degree of elasticity is necessary between farmer and employee. (South and North Taranaki.) . “That this conference views with alarm the Government’s system of wages to farm labourers being based upon age rather than qualification, as under those conditions many farmers will be compelled to dispense with lured labour to the detriment of farmer and labourer.” (Nelson.) UNEMPLOYMENT TAX.

Other reunits are:— “That all taxation payments he exempt from further taxation.” (Combined Conference, Dannevirke, North Taranaki, North Canterbury, Otago, North Otago and Southland.) . “That because of tho reported increased number in employment and the increased wages and incomes, this meeting is of the opinion that the rate of tiie unemployment tax should be reduced.” (North Taranaki.) “That the present restriction lmposed upon the indirect importation of stock from countries infected with foot-and-mouth disease be tightened U 1> ‘‘That°all'’straw and vegetable fibre Backing he prohibited from entering New Zealand from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent. an attempt he made through tho dairy companies to secure complete co-operative control of manure works.” (Auckland.) “That this conference discuss the acute shortage of domestic help in the country, with a view to avenues for its amelioration. (North Canterbury, Southland.) “That as the present laws seem to allow those who practise abortion to escape punishment, the Government he asked to alter , the w<* ssary Acts m order to suppress this growing cvi 1, which, if allowed to spread unchecked, threatens the very existence ot our race.” (Combined conference Danne“That this conference deplores the evil of excessive drinking at dances, and recommends that the Farmers’ Union press for legislation giving the police the necessary authority to deal with the subject.” (Auckland.)