PRODUCTION COSTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20087, 17 November 1930, Page 10

PRODUCTION COSTS.

REDUCTION OP WAGES j ADVOCATED. | FAHMEKS DISCUSS PROBLEM, j 'SPECIii. '. vi ICS r it ; ; . iMVERCAHGTLh, ,\ v.-,..:,, li; The economic problems of the farming community are causing Southland ( farmers much concern at present. The subject vr»» debated ;U ;j mooting of the Union on Saturday. ... the fol . lowing remit was prevented; '''That the Government be called open t 0 steps immediately to reduce the costs of production by a lowcrir-s o- -slaries and wages.'' Mr T. T. Major spousvre.l the remit, and said that at the present low prices? primary production lvas becoming economically unprofitable r.->rir;g to tlie high costs. ft appeared tiiat good values had deserted the farmer, and unless drastic action was taken to reduce costs it would be impossible for most of them to carry on. The time had come for the farmer to come out in the open and demand a reduction in salaries and wages. It would be useless to wait for the politicians to take up this attitude, as this policy would be unpopular, and politicians could net risk losing their seats by advocating such a move. Mr J. Johnston, in support of the motion, quoted the salaries paid to Civil servants. "The Government is now proposing to impose an increased tariff on the railways.'' he said. "1 think it is downright impudence to pass the extra cost on to the primarj- producers. The time is at hand for a round-table conference and if the Farmers' Union executive cannot make any constructive suggestions it is time for I us to get out and make room for those j who can. If the Government will not j move in the matter we must give it j to understand that we expect it to get | nit too, and make room for one that All-Round Reduction. Mr ft. Bim said tho only solution was to advocate a reduction in wages. It was not onlj* the farm worker who should be reduced, but everyone in tho j community. The Farmers'' Union in V\ ellington must have accumulated a substantial fund during its long term of existence, and now was the opportunity to use every penny of it in a plan of campaign right through the country to try to bring public opinion to put "men into Parliament who would support this policy and act upon it. Mr E. IC. Sim suggested that a better proposition would be a reduction in the cost of living. Mr T. Uanning said he took objection to Mr Johnston's reflections on tho Government. He considered the present Government as capable as anv thev had had. (Cries of "No," and disorder.) Mr R. Sim: The Farmers' Union should nor he afraid to advocate a reduction in the salaries of Civil servants. It was finally decided -. j hold over further consideration of the remit until the local committee had bepn given an opportunity to submit a report.