WORLD FARMERS’ FEDERATION

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24886, 28 May 1946, Page 5

WORLD FARMERS’ FEDERATION

LONDON CONFERENCE DISCUSSIONS

NATURE OF PROPOSED ORGANISATION

(Special Correspondent N.ZTA.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. When the conference of world agricultural producers which at present is in session at Church House, Westminster, adjourned at the week-end, a substantial measure of agreement had been reached by the four committees engaged hammering out details of the organisation of a proposed world federation of farmers which is the chief objective of the conference. Complete agreement upon details is not to ba expected, and the chief work of the constitution committee headed by Mr J. K. Knowles (Britain) is to reconcile differences of opinion upon the precise nature and objectives of the federation. Majority opinion appears at present to favour “a loose" organisation, which will preserve members’ liberty and individual action rather than “a tight” constitution, which will be able to commit all members to policies agreed upon by majority voting. The British delegation, which framed the original constitution proposals, favours the second alternative, but a number of other delegates, among which are the Americans and the New Zealanders, sunnort a looser federation. Involved with this is the K question .of voting power—whether the federation should be operated on the principle of one country one vote, or upon voting power proportional to the export value of a country’s produce. A number of the countries attending the conference are small exporters. and naturally there has been some discussion noon their rights to exercise equal voting rower with the larger exporting countries. N.Z. Attitude The New Zealanders also are anxious, as they expressed in the amendment moved by Mr W. W. Mulholland to the original draft constitution to prevent the federation becoming a mere instrument of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation or any other Government organisation. Both Mr Mulholland and Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P., insisted that New Zealand farmers wanted freedom from unnecessary restrictions, and above all did not consider the limitation of production an effective remedy for the world’s shortages. This did not imply any unwillingness to co-operate with and assist F.A.0.. for already there has been general recognition by the conference of the necessity for concerted world measures to deal with the present food situation and the future problems of primary producers. One important decision was a recommendation to the co-operation committee that it was desirable to form within the federation a department responsible for co-ordinating the policy of an agricultural co-or>erative movement throughout the world. The external relations and publicity committee under the chairmanship of Mr G. H Grigg (New Zea’and) will recommend close liaison with the Information service of F.A.0.. and the setting up of an information service to assist farmers and member countries. Under the chairmanshin of Sardar Halubullah Khan (India), anqther committee is studying nutritional problems. Expert Advice The head of F.A.O 'Sir John Boyd Orr) has cabled his Intention of addressing the conference this week. As the deliberations proceed the conference is having the benefit of a great deal of expert and political advice. Member* already have been addressed bv th a Foreign Secretary (Mr Bevin), the Minister of Agriculture fMr Tom william*). Lord Horder. Professor A. W Ashby, director of agricultural economics at Oxford, and Mr A L. representing Sir John Boyd A party of delegates, including Mr Holvoake and Mr B rooVslev was al«n entertained bv Mr Walter tniloft, while several Kew attended a recentinn bv th#* Wor«hir»ful Cnmnanv nt Bntchers where Sir John An-de»-son was the sneaker. Durin o th* week-end a number of delegates war* the evests at ham o f T.nrd Trent chairman of Boots. T-M.. and loanerted pteesfon faetnr<e» wh<o>, fnaectfHdtS. end thn rhikeHe* fh» O f which will onnn on June 10. Sunday the” »ftend*d a service at the Southwell Cathedral.