SHEEP OWNERS' CASE

Rotorua Morning Post, 31 August 1931, Page 3

SHEEP OWNERS' CASE

("Post" Snecial CnnrmissihnerA

* EVIDENCE HEARD LABOUR OBJECTIONS TO FURTHER CUTS EXPECTED ELECTION POSTPONEMENT. ' a

WELLINGTON, Saturday. In certain respects thei'e appears to he a striking contrast between the evidenee submitted to the inter -party committee by representatives of tbe stoek and station agents, and those ! of ; the sheepowners. " It is now common talk in the lohbies^ ! that the spokesman of the stock and station agents made it quite clear tbat in his opinion, one of the remedial measuies necessary to bring about a rehabilitation for tbe producers would involve a further reduction of at least 10 per cent. in wages and salaries, and a similar cut in old age and soldiers' pensions. It is gatheied, also, that a :cux*ther reduction in interest rates on m-ort-gages was advocated but interfertnce with rates on current accounts was not urged. Representatives of the sheep ^wners pointed out that the industry was faced with two major prpblems — internal costs of production and overseag prices for products. • Must Be Reduced. It wag strongly urged that internal costs must be drastically reduced. These costs were defined as meaning wages, transport, stores, rates, taxes rent and interest. It was pointed out that the Arbitration Court had alre ady reduced wages and o it was contended that rent and interest with rates and taxes must also be materially reduced if disaster was to be averted. Currency ProblUms. It is gatheved that spokesmen devoted considerable attention to the effect of currency on the problem ar.d the results of a restoration to tbe gold standard. A strong point made was that New Zealand had contracted debts when the sovereign was worth 12/- and as called upon to repay when it was worth 30/-. It was held that the main cause of tbe trouble was the currency one and should be capable of a justment. Hope was expressed that the Government would endeavour to effect a fair and equitable hasis of settlement of war debts. Labour Objections. It is stated in the lobbies that the Labour representatives on the committee will enter very strong objections to any furtbef reduction in wages, but whether Labour members will go to tbe length of breaking up the committee, is very doubtful. It is said that the Labour representatives will resist any reduction by means of a minority report to Parliament. Election Postponement. There is a feeling in political circles that a cefinite move wi.l be made efore v. ry xi/ng for the po tponemeni. of the general election until such time as New Zealand has emerged from the depression. During the debate on tbe Licensing Po:l Postponement ' Bill, indications were given that both United and Rexorm would f avour such a postpone- ! ment. Shoulcf evidenee to ,be presentcd | to the inter-party committee indicate that such a course was desixable in I the public interest, Mr For'oes has inI dicated plainly that a postponement i of the election would follow naturally i on the fprmation of a National Gov'ernment while Mr Coates said ye terday tnat much would depend on the rdeliberations of the committee. At the I same time it is known that there are ! members of the Reform Party wbo | are opposed to any extension of the i life of Parliament. They consider I that tbe electors -hould be asked to i give a lead regardjng the steps that | hould be taken tb meet the present I financial positioT/ oi the country. A.di ed interest will be given to tbe proceedings of yfie committee on Monday, by means of the fact that representatives -bf the bankers are to give evidenee. *'