"NOT FAIR VIEW."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 11

"NOT FAIR VIEW."

FARMERS' POSITION. REVIEW BY MR. SAVAGE. COMMENT IN THE SOUTH. (By Tele-graph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIX, Tuesday. Points concerning the farming community which were embodied i:i the speech delivered by the Prime Minister. Mr. Savage, on April 20 provoked discussion at a meeting of the Otago provincial council of the Farmers' Union to-day. Although some delegates were disposed to ignore the Prime Minister's statements concerning the reason for the increased prosperity of the farming community, and the figures he quoted to prove his arguments, others contended that the council should record its protest against what thsy considered to be misrepresentation of the position.

The following resolution was carried: "That this council is of opinion that the statement made by the Prime Minister regarding the improved position of tlfe farmers is not a fair statement and shows conclusively that the Prime Minister is not correctly informed as to the average conditions ruling throughout Xew Zealand. It is undeniable that there has been an increase in returns for primary produce, but this is due to the increase in production and to the rise in prices overseas; and, in all cases, it has been offset by increased farming costs, which have materially hindered recovery. These costs, if they continue to rise at the present rate, will seriously imperil the primary industries." Greater Use of Fertilisers. The president. Mr. R. H. Michelle, said that Mr. Savage had quoted the greater use of fertilisers and agricultural machinery as proof that farmers were better off under the Labour Government than they were under the previous Administration, but actually many farmers were giving up cropping and were top-dressing their land for grazing pur]K>ses, while, as they could not get labour, they were buying tractors and doing farm work themselves.

The Prime Minister, he added, had also contended that the increase in totalisator figures at race meeting was another indication of the farmers' prosperity, but most of the race patrons came from the cities, not 30 per cent of 'the farmers having sufficient spare time to attend, race meetiugs.

Mr. Spoor said that anyone who knew the true position knew that the speech was "all rot."

Mr. A. Renton said that the guaranteed price allowed no provision for replacement of stock.

Mr. Stuart Sim said that Mr. Savage had talked of the higher standard of living, but it was actually a high false standard of living. The sooner that was realised the better. During lean years the farmers curtailed their expenditure and, when conditions improved, they set about making up the leeway. If they had had a reasonable Government during the past two years they could have expended three times as much and would have employed more labour. The resolution was carried.