FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. MEETING WAR NEEDS. Tile annual meeting of tlie Wellington Central provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday in Eeilding, Mr D. G. Gordon presiding over a good attendance. “In the early part of our year a strong and sustained effort was made to convince the Government of the necessity of bringing costs and returns into line,” stated Mr D. G.. Gordon in his report. “With the advent of war our union felt that it should refrain from any action that might embarrass the Gpvernment in its war efforts. At the same time we pointed out very plainly that in addition to patriotism certain economic conditions are necessary to the country’s maximum production. Two of the necessary conditions concerned the provision of adequate labour and adequate prices. The Government has provided subsidised labour, and the Farmers’ Union believes that the wrong lines have been adopted for subsidies to be paid. They should be paid on results. The problem is not yet solved and must be faced if New Zealand is to progress. The better prices paid by the Imperial Government have for the present alleviated the position to some extent. The fact that Britain is. taking so much of our produce and, New Zealand so little of hers, through import restrictions, creates a further problem which may have serious repercussions for our industry in the future. . The two main economic difficulties of our country at the present time, and on which the Farmers’ Union should be able to give a lead, are how to increase wartime production within the political economic policy we have to-day, and how to put New Zealand in a sound economic condition that would stimulate all essential industries and especially the primary industries, and at the same time enable our people as a whole to enjoy the maximum of goods and services. • “With regard to war-time production, in practically every other calling when increased effort is required the inducement offered is an overtime rate of pay. In farming there is a normal return from the land that gives the maximum profitable production with the minimum risk, and to materially increase that production involves the expenditure of effort, money and a considerably increased risk of the venture proving unprofitable. If the Government really wants increased production the eommonsense way is to offer extra payment for that increase; in other words, an overtime rate for the farmer. The farming industry, with our 40-hour week, is at present being asked to carry the seasonal and all other risks attached to increased production without extra payment. It may seem unpatriotic to talk in this way, and I have no wish to minimise the extra effort that many farmers will make for patriotic reasons, but I believe the farmer who increases production beyond the normal capacity of his farm will in many cases, after paying taxation, get a smaller net return per ton for his increase than in his normal fanning practice. SUGGESTION TO GOVERNMENT. “It is a question for the Government whether it realises the need for increased production enough to offer a price tor the increase that would warrant the farmer extending operations at the present difficult time. Hon. W. Nash lias appealed for increased production of every kind, but the abandonment of the 40-hour week as a war-time .measure would spread the effort and be moro convincing generally than any number of verbal appeals for increased production. I believe the sacrifice entailed would lead to moro co-operation,” Mr Gordon said. “The other point, that of getting New Zealand on a sound footing, is not by any means a simple one. In the past when things got out of gear the custom has been to reduce wages and let the worker stand the racket until the cost of living came down. Iliat method of self-preservation is gone. 1 believe the only way is to get internal ' costs and prices down and then bring wages into line. If we wait lor a drastic drop in prices to do this we shall probably have some sort of inflation to stabilise things and keep up internal prices and wages. Would it not be better' to subsidise industry even by a temporary inflation with the object of bringing down internal prices and get back to some sound sort of basis? One of the fundamental difficulties is to get a larger rural population who will be primary producers rather than State employees. “Hon. P. C. Webb recently _ stated that lie would be willing to receive suggestions as to how men on I üblic Works could bo otherwise employed. Of course, the disparity between the Public Works wages and conditions and farm conditions is a real difficulty. But even if these were the same it is doubtful if a sufficient additional number of men would be employed on farms, to make any real difference, without some further inducement. BURDEN OF LAND TAN.

“In wartime,” Mr Gordon proceeded, “one naturally hesitates to suggest a remission, of taxation that would apply to only one section of the community, but land tax at present is a class tax that we have failed to see removed, and I would suggest that we advocate that where rural land is carrying a certain quota of people according to quality the land tax be remitted in order to encourage the employment of more men on a permanent basis. I believe that for every £IOO so remitted the Government would save £2OO in Public Works expenditure. 1 am convinced that without getting an increased number of workers in primary production there is no real solution to our difficulties. Recent Governmems and the Farmers’ Union have toyed with the idea of increased land settlement, which is the permanent solution, and although the time for that may not be opportune at present, it occurs to me that unless tlie Farmers’ Union evolves and pushes some sound scheme for closer settlement we will probably in post-war years have a scheme . of ivliich we do not approve and against which we will vainly protest “Unless we can get suitable men tor employment on the land we will have to expect Public Works employment. The population in New-Zealand is unbalanced in that not sufficient of the people are engaged in primary industries. There is not one member who would suggest that the daily man is overpaid. An inflation which, will put down costs will have .to be evolved. The Farmers’ Union is saddled with the responsibility to point the way to better things economically and pave

the way for better conditions in New. Zealand. War-time restrictions have made it difficult for the , Farmers’ Union to operate fully, but notwithstanding these difficulties these are matters which the union can give full consideration.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The treasurer (Mr A. Campbell) reviewed the finances of the organisation, which ho stated were in a healthy position. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr D. G. Gordon; vicepresidents, Messrs J. R, L. Hammond, Jt£. D. Richardson and F. C. Jurgens; delegate to the Dominion conference, Mr. A. C. Birch; auditor, Mr A. H. Maguire; treasurer, Mr A. Campbell; executive, Messrs I>. D. Simpson, H. J. Todd, F. J. Buteman, J. L. Lambert and V. F. Toulmin (Hunterville), A. C. Birch, D. Cameron, H. J. Harris, A. P. Howard, G. R. Lovelock, T. Bergen, G. H. Stewart and J. B. S. Dudding (Marton), G. E. Anderson, A. R. Fannin, A. J. Mickleson, R. J. Gibbs, F. L. Collins, W. Bell, V. Smith and D. Scott (Taihape), C. McKenzie, It. Deroles, A. C. Hall, W. Boshier, A. J. Martin, M. Thompson and E. G. Billinghurst (Rangiwahia), W. G. Booth. B. McLeod, R. H. Buchanan, -D. L. Younger, J. B. Bradley, C. G. C. Dermer, A. Campbell, J. J. Thomasen, W. D. Marshall and I. D. Colquhoun (Eeilding), J. D. Kilgour, A. W. Viles, L. A. Martin, W. Davis and H. Jensen (Apiti), Q. 0. Wilson, C. Thorby, R. Scott, H. A. Escott, A. Amon, J. Cornfoot, R., 0. Dalrymple, F. C. Jurgens and J. G. Wilson (Bulls), together with the delegates from the Ohakune, Mangaweka and Haleombe branches. GENERAL BUSINESS. A circular was received from the headquarters of the union regarding the proposals for ultimately incorporating within a Primary Producers’ Council all sectional primary producing interests. —Several members spoke ill favour of the movement and it was agreed to prepare a remit in support of the proposals for consideration at the forthcoming interprovincial conference to be held at AVanganui this month.

A report was tabled on the failure of the negotiations between the union and the New Zealand Workers’ Union over farm workers’ wages.—Mr Hammond reported at length on the position and said that the union was unable to concede any increase in wages, and the matter had been reported on to the Minister of Labour. A considerable discussion took place over the arrangements made between the Government and the freezing companies for freezing charges, and it was ‘stated that efforts were to be made before next season commenced to have the position clarified and a better basis established.

An. interesting publication was received from’the Department of Scientific Research dealing with the grassland survey which was recently completed. This, it was stated, would prove very valuable as time went on In that it would provide a means of checking the trend of farming. It was- agreed to order a number of copies for the different branches. It was agreed to arrange for adequate representation of the union at the forthcoming Meat Board election, and steps are to he taken to have the matter considered at the interprovincial conference of the union. Various other questions were briefly discussed, while consideration was also given to a number of remits sent in by branches for the inter-provincial conference. CALF POOLS. Mr A. C. Birch (Marton) said that the success which had attended the formation of bobby calf pools throughout the district had been greater than expected. He was sure all now realised their value and the hobby calf pools had demonstrated that when farmers were prepared to come together for the disposal of their produce they secured the benefit of protective legislation. He felt that fanners might now consider advancing a step further and create pig and cull cow pools on lilies similar to those operating with bobby calves. Mr Birch moved that the union take steps to have the legislation provided for bobby calf pools extended to provide for the creation of pig and cull cow pools. The provincial secretary stated that from reports received of the annual meetings of the various calf pools throughout the district there was evident satisfaction regarding their, success, and it was pleasing to learn that farmers were now prepared to go further and consider pools for pigs and cull cows. He mentioned that voluntary cull cow pools were already operating in the Waikato and there appeared no reason why they should not be commenced in this area. Mr Birch’s motion was carried unanimously.