GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21792, 26 May 1936, Page 12

GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME

DRASTIC EXTENSION PREDICTED MR POLSON ADDRESSES FARMERS {PBBSS ASSOCIATION TBLBOJUM.) HAMILTON, May 23. Drastic extension of what he described as the Government's socialistic programme was predicted by Mr W. J. Poison, M.P., president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, addressing primary producers at Morrinsville to-day. He contended that by next year the Government will have brought meat and wool under its guaranteed prices scheme, and will have put into effect its declared intention of socialism and the ownership of land throughout the country. Mr Poison also said the arrangements made between the union and the Government about farm labour were better than the farmer would actually get, as since the scheme had been devised the price of farm labour had materially risen. With 16s being paid for public works employees, no farmer would be able to get men at the rate that had been arranged. It was to have been on a sliding scale according to the price of butter-fat. There was to be no question of hours, but the Government considered that additional compensation should be afforded workers by the provision of extra holidays. A resolution was carried by the meeting approving the views expressed by Mr Poison.