FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20502, 19 May 1938, Page 16

FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

PROBLEMS DISCISSKI) CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND COMPENSATING PRICE SUPPORTED Special Reporter) AUCKLAND. Thursday The Government * infernal marketing scheme. the compensating price campaign, the anomalies of the present monetary system and other vital problems affecting the welfare of the farming industry were dis--4 38th Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Fanners* Union, a sessioi yesterday. The provincial president, Mr H. O. Mellsop. presided over a large attendance of deio-gates representative of branches throughout the province. During the afternoon an exposition of the compensating price campaign was given by Colonel S. J. Closey, who enunciated the reasons why the operation of a compensating price to dairy farmers should be acceptable to the city business man. The com- - bfng Peter to pay Paul.” said Colonel Closey. nor did it mean that dairy farmers were seeking a sheltered position. It would not be introduced at the expense of the general taxpayer. Farmers, he said, wanted money to make farming pay and to bring present waste areas into profitable occupation. If the compensating priee were introduced, It would not be a case of finding work for the people but a ease of finding people to do the work. Sheepfarmers* Position At the conclusion of the address, ieveral delegates sought information ss to how the sheepfarmer would fare if a compensating price for dairy farmers were introduced. They asked it other sections of the farming industry would sufTer If dairy farmers alone were given the benefit of a comprice. The opinion was expressed that there would be a tendency for sheep men to swing over to cattle, thus upsetting the present equilibrium and bringing about a glut of dairy produceColonel Closey stated that as the dairy farmer had had his produce taken from him there was not one barrier to his claims for a compensating price, for there was nothing to delay Immediate payment. Victory for the compensating price principle was certain If the organisers concentrated on the case for the dairy farmer, but the ease for the sheepfarmer would not be neglected. A remit. Introduced by Mr G. D. Hunter Ilorsham Downs asked the union to give the compensating price campaign its whole-hearted support, as it offered the most effective means of organising all farmers and securing economfc justice. It was little use merely passing resolutions, said Mr Hunter, for it was absolutely essential for every member of the union to take an active part in mobilising every avenue of support for the campaign. Dairy directorates were firmly in favour of the campaign, but they could do little without the active support of every •upplier. >lr Hunter's resolution xvas carried unanimously. Extension of Trade The necessity of New Zealand expanding her markets, particularly in the East, was stressed by delegates when discussing a remit urging greater attention to market expansion. The effect of the severance of trade routes to Great Britain in time of war was a point that had to be taken into consideration, contended Mr A. E. Robinson. So much reliance was placed by the Dominion on this trade that any sudden cessation would be calamitous, for it would be practically impossible to build up new trade In such circumstances. Every effort should be made now. be said, to establish a footing in the East, even if only for products that were not of the superfine quality at present exported to the established markets of Great Britain and the Continent. AustraTia. continued Mr Robinson, had already built up an export trade of C3.000.U00. and there was a vast

market for the products of the Dominion. Lamb, fruit, condensed milk, ham. butter and cheese would find a ready market in the East. Refrigerating space In the boats bad hitherto been a drawback and was still at a premtum, although there was now* a direct service with the East Indies.