Labour’s Reappraisal Of Farming, Land Policies

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30126, 9 May 1963, Page 16

Labour’s Reappraisal Of Farming, Land Policies

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 8.

The Labour Party’s national executive will be asked to consider a thorough reappraisal of New Zealand farm policies so that it can meet the changes expected in the next few years. The proposal, contained in a report from the party’s farmer delegates and endorsed by the annual conference today, said Labour had the courage to take the steps necessary to put farming on a healthy basis because it knew this would ensure that the development of “industry in depth” would not be jeopardised by a shortage of overseas funds.

The conference also recommended that trade representation overseas should be strengthened and co-ordinated to promote sales of New Zealand products, with proper market research and particular attention in South-east Asia.

Delegates wanted the Trade Practices Commission and the Consumer Council to widen the scope of their activities to include factors affecting farm costs.

More backing, they thought, should be given to fanning research so that impediments, such as the inadequate facilities of the Dairy Research Institute, could be overcome. Other recommendations by the conference were:—

(1) Every incentive should be given to producers, processors and farmers to diversify their production on lines suitable to meeting the requirements of prospective markets. (2) Reaffirmation of Labour’s intention to reinstate the residential clause in the Land Settlement Promotion Act, because

Labour deplored land speculation. (The commit-

tee was also concerned by the substantial increase in interest rates.) (3) Priority should be given to industries which would process New Zealand's own raw materials and primary products, to conserve overseas funds and promote industrial employment (4) An afforestation policy should be based on using land otherwise useless for farming.

(5) Substantial loan funds should be available at a reasonable rate of interest so that capital could be infused into sections of the farming industry, and Labour should ensure that any young man prepared to get the necessary experience would not be debarred from farming by lack of capital "With proper appreciation of our responsibility as a nation blessed with the ability to grow grass all the year round, Labour’s policy will be designed to ensure that farmers can make full use of every facility to help feed a world that is hungry,” the report concluded.