FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1943, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

STATEMENT ON LEADING POLITICAL ISSUES ECONOMIC & OTHER QUESTIONS. SUGGESTED LIMITS ON STATE ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, ThisxDay. The views of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on the main political issues of the day have been set out in _ a policy statement issued for publication by the union. The statement is as follows: — State Ownership and Control—The Farmers’ Union holds that it is desirable that the State should operate certain public services, specially where, by their nature, they must be of a monopolistic character, such as railways, telegraphs and electricity, but the union is definitely opposed to a policy of State ownership and control of the means of production, distribution and exchange. Land.—(a) That, except in regard to lands held for specific purposes, the holder shall be entitled to acquire the freehold from the State under fair and reasonable conditions. (b) That the Government facilitate the taking up of the land by suitable settlers with small amounts of capital, but only after the requiremients stated below as to making full recovery of farm costs possible have been met. We regard it as essential that this be done before any large-scale settlement under the rehabilitation scheme is attempted, (c) That for rehabilitation purposes the Government should provide advances on special terms of payment to those ex-soldiers wishing to purchase private land. Note: The New Zealand Farmers' Union is anxious to find a means of limiting the inflation of values of land sold to returned soldiers which will be fair to land-owners and returned soldiers alike, and will be ready to enter into immediate discussions with a view to finding a solution. OUR BASIC INDUSTRY. General Economic Policy of New Zealand. —The general economic policy of New Zealand must be based on the vital importance of farm production, and in order to provide the highest possible standard of comfort for the people of New Zealand the basic industry of the country must be placed, in the position where it can pay competitive wages and enjoy equal remuneration with all other industry. Such remuneration should include a recognition of the necessity to recover full costs of production, including maintenance, interest on capital, and the contingencies incidental tc\ farming. Co-operation.—The Farmers’ Union strongly supports the principle of cooperation where it will enable farmers more economically to produce and market their produce, (a) It strongly supports the co-operative provision of farm finance, (b) It supports the processing of and the marketing of, primary products, and the provision of supplies and services by producercontrolled co-operative organisations. (c) It asks for the return to the farmers under co-operative producer control of the processing and marketing of all their own produce, (d) It supports the extension of the principle of cooperative ownership and control in all other’ fields of industry where possible and practicable, (e) Where small units can operate efficiently every encouragement should be given to their establishment and continuance, as opposed to forcing them into large organisations; instances are: small shopkeepers, small transport operators, repair and servicing businesses, small builders, etc. TAXATION & INDUSTRY. Taxation.—(a) That the Farmers’ Union is opposed to land tax, which is wrong in principle and unjust in its incidence, (b) That direct taxation replace indirect taxation as far as possible. (c) That all direct taxation be ■ levied on persona! income only, and be i so graduated that the burden falls most ‘heavily on those best able to bear it. (d) That all taxation payments be exempt from further taxation, (e) That we support substantial relief in taxation for the family man according to the number of children. Development and Extension of Industries—That we believe in the development and extension of only those industries processing products natural to the country on an economic basis, and those which cjm supply efficiently the requirements of an increasing standard of living. Motor Taxation and Road Finance.— (a) That the whole cost of road construction and maintenance (including interest and principal charged on roading loans) be borne by users. HEALTH INSURANCE. Social—The Farmers' Union strongly supports a national health insurance scheme financed by compulsory direct contributions levied on wages, salaries, oi’ personal income on a flat rate in the pound; benefits to be available without any limitation of income or in any other way. The total cost of hospital finance to be a charge on the fund. The Farmers’ Union also supports a universal National Provident Fund similarly financed to provide for all pensions and allowances, except pensions and allowances for public services. That the Farmers’ Union advocate an extensive rural housing scheme. Education—The Farmers’ Union supports equal opportunity for education for town and country children, including the care and education of retardate children. Currency—The Farmers' Union approves the control of the issue and withdrawal of credit and currency by a national authority free from political control. Right of Free Speech.—(a) That the radio be removed from political control. (b) That the abuse of the censorship be terminated, and that the censorship be used only to prevent the publication or dissemination of news likely to be of use to the enemy.