REDUCING COSTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 10

REDUCING COSTS.

farmers and business MEN. CO-OPERATION SUGGESTED. LP&SSS ASSOCIA.TIOH TZLEGBAM.J NEW, PLYMOUTH, November 12. A suggestion that the Associated Chambers of Commerce should combine 'with the Farmers' Union to reduce costs during the period o£ falling prices was made by the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, whose president, Mr J. B. Richards, outlined a sohemo of cooperation. Mr Richards said he had written Mr C. P. Agar, president of the Associated Chambers, urging that the' organisation should adopt the following principles: Curtailment of the protection of sections of the community, to the disadvantage of other sections. Reduction of the expenses of GovernI ment.

Curtailment of Government activity in business.

Encouragement of individual effort and curtailment of interference with private rights. The Farmers' Union, said Mr Richards, was groping after something; it was not yet prepared to say what. He believed it was possible for the Associated Chambers to establish a working understanding on matters of high principle with the Union executive. A coalition would produce a force wielding sufficient power to ensure the observance in general Government action of those principles to which both bodies subscribed.

"1 quite agree on one fundamental principle," said Mr W. J. Poison, Dominion President of the Farmers' Union. "The farmer asks for equal opportunity with others of the State, and is striving in that direction. Unless a saving in costs can be brought about, production must be curtailed, because third class country is not economical to farm, and already it is doubtful whether second class land can be farmed profitably." He was sure, he continued, that something should be done through the Government to reduce costs. If the Farmers' Union and commercial organisations co-operated in a sincere attempt to bring about improved conditions something could be accomplished, for no Government would dare to disregard proposals backed by such a united weight of public opinion. As a representative of farming interests he was sure farmers would welcome the move suggested by Mr Richards.