FARMERS CONFER.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1922, Page 5

FARMERS CONFER.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. NEW BANKING PROPOSALS. THE BAVARIAN SYSTEM. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Farmers’ Union Conference today the following resolution, remitted from Hawke’s Bay, ww> referred to the executive committee: “That the Government ;be requested to review the telephone regulations with, a viewt tv adopting the zone system, and further liberalising the erection of backblocks lines, thereby doing justice to settlers in remote localities.” A motion was remitted from North Canterbury to the effect that all classes of producers should be joined up under the name of “The Producers’ Federation” and the name of this organisation be changed accordingly. This was negatived, the president ruling that any discussion as to a change of title was out of order. The following resolution was discussed in committee and duly carried: “That this conference considers the time opportune for the Dominion executive to bring about a working agreement with the Sheep-owners’ Federation, the Council of Agriculture and other kindred organisations.” The report of the banking committee was adopted in the form of the following resolution: “That the Government be asked to adopt in any legislation it may bring down the principles of the Bavarian agricultural bank, in so far as they may be applicable to New Zealand, combining as they do the functions of long term land mortgage and short term credit associations; and that this conference earnestly urges upon the Government that it should set up a select committee to consider such banking legislation and report to the Government, on which committee the Farmers’ Union shall be adequately represented.” Another resolution carried was: “That the attention of the Government be drawn to the high rate of interest being charged by the banks in New Zealand, and asked if any assistance can be given to secure a reduction.”

Mr. J. D. Bates (North Canterbury) moved: “That the Administration consider a proportionate levy on all external exchanges levied by banking institutions upon the public.” He was given leave to substitute for the remit the following: “That the Administration be asked to abolish internal exchange.” This was carried. Mr. H. Tilyard (Wairarapa) moved the following remit: “Several dairy factories have obtained loana from the banks to make improvements to factories and the banks insist that the loans ibe repaid at the rate of Id per lb butter-fat. In the past the rate was £d per lb. To help farmers in the present crisis the associated banks be requested to revert to the sliding scale repayment system on a basis of the price up to Is Id. Is to Is 9d fd, and Is 10d Id.” This was adopted. Mr. C. H. Bridge. (Poverty Bay) moved: “That an effort be made to reduce freights and shipping charges upon producers.” The remit was carried. The following remit from Auckland was carried: “That in view of the great importance to the public and the industries of. the "Dominion of efficient control and working of the waterfront industry it be an earnest recommendation to the Government tlvat they institue an early and exhaustive inquiry into the whole matter of cargo handling at the various ports.” The following remit aroused considerable discussion, which will be resumed to-morrow: “That a producers’ shipping line be formed in co-operation with the Government to carry all our primary products to the overseas market on a compulsory basis, a Government loan to be raised for the purchase of ships, interest and sinking fund to be guaranteed by the producers and the line to be controlled by a board consisting of two representatives nominated by each of the primary industries interested, together with one Government nominee, the said board to hold the line in trust for the whole of the primary producers of the Dominion; no shares to be issued or dividends paid and all profits to be utilised to improve storage facilities in the Old Country, cheapen freights and reduce the poundage rate.”