FARMERS’ COUNCIL

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 441, 24 May 1937, Page 4

FARMERS’ COUNCIL

OBJECTS DEFINED Free From Party Politics The status and object of the New Zealand Farmers’ Council were defined briefly by Mr J. Wood, Stratford, newly_elected president of the organisation at a mee ing at Stratford bn Friday. The council's policy, said Mr Wood, was unbiassed cooperation, free from party politics, with the Government in power, for the assistance of the working Crnuen. "The members of this organisation are farmers who consider it necessary to co.opera l e with the Government. for the time being on all matters affecting the welfare of the farming community and to render competent and unbiassed, advice on all rural matters,” said Mr Wood in nis presidental address. “The movement was started in August, 1936, and although the membership is not large it is thoroughly representative of Central Taranaki. Organisation has been delayed during the past three mob hs owing to a decision to form the council into an incorporated society. “1 particularly desire to stress the fact that as an organisation we are entirely free from party politics,” coir inued Mr Wood, “and I trust we will continue in that attitude irrespective Of which party is in power. We shall lhen always be in a position to give an unbiassed opinion." For many years it had, been apparent there was a dividing line between the interests of the working farmer and the farmer of independent means, he concluded. It was for the benefit of the working farmer that the organisation was set up. Officers elected were: President, Mr Wood; vice-president, Mr J. Browning, Waipuku; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. J. Marchant, Cardiff. Farm Management Costs. Messrs Wood and Marchant were appoiirted to act as a deputation to the Taranaki Adjustment Commission this week in connection with the basis of assessment of farm management costs for inclusion in budgets tor mortgage commission, consideration of which has been the subject of recent activity by the New Zealand Farmers’ Council. Representations made 'to Cabinet Ministers that the weekly amount of £3 for such costs, at approved by the commission in many applications, was not sufficient when compared with the basic wage of £3 16s, have been replied to by Hon. H. G. R. Mason, who states that the principle followed must be that of adjusting the amount according to circumstances.