Move for more cohesion among farmer groups

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32659, 15 July 1971, Page 2

Move for more cohesion among farmer groups

(New Zealand Press Association) ' WELLINGTON, July 14. Federated Fanners today defeated a motion to convene a joint council of agriculture consisting of producer board representatives and farming leaders.

The federation’s annual conference decided instead to press more vigorously to achieve greater liaison and cohesion among all farmer representative organisations, with the eventual goal of building one unified body. Mr J. C. Andrews (Wairarapa) said that amalgamation of producer boards and farming leaders was needed to co-ordinate thinking. Although these groups did get together at times, this depended on whether one of the grouos had an axe to grind, “This fragmentation denies the individual the benefits of forward planning and affects industrial negotiating strength.” The trade union movement recognised the vital necessity of co-ordinating its forces under the Federation of Labour, Mr Andrews said. Mr W. R. Martin (Auckland) said farmers could no longer afford to go forward as a “disunited rabble.” Their destinies had been determined by people for their own benefit and tb the detriment of individual farmers. The conference also voted to encourage members to take political action at any level available to them as a means of showing their dissatisfaction with the present farming situation.

In 1964, he said, he approached Victoria University to do a pilot study of the rural problem; nothing had yet been done. Mr J. Luxton (Taranaki) insisted that the crux of the problem was the return of profitability to farming. “The amalgamation of farms is closing schools," he said. “Your dentist and doctor move out as the population moves out. If profitability were returned to farming, social services would look after themselves.” BOARDING FEES The conference voted for an increase, in boarding allowances. These it decided, should be increased to two terms boarding fees for the first child, and to a greater proportion for subsequent children in the same family. It also sought more information on the effects of possible integration with Australia politically and economic- ; ally. A Canterbury delegate said that the need for this information -vas greater because of the outcome of the Common Market talks. FARM FINANCE Before going into committee for the rest of the day, the conference decided to ask the Government to review, in association with the federation and Young Farmers’ Clubs, the whole land settlement policy, including the State Advances Corporation. Mr B. Chamberlin (Auckland) said it was rapidly becoming impossible for a young New Zealander to own a farm; he either had to have

Mr J. E. Shields (Auckland) said the members of Parliament whom farmers had been lobbying were not representing farmers. “They are representing parties, and have neither the powers nor the rights to put the fanners’ cases. I have no hesitation in supporting a political wing for Federated Farmers." RURAL SERVICES The problems associated with social services in rural areas were debated at length by the conference. Eventually, a resolution calling for the setting up of a study group was passed. This group would consist of interested parties and would promote the expansion of cen-trally-based services to rural and remote areas. The general secretary (Mr J. G. Pryde) said early in the debate that the federation needed to go to the Government with something concrete, not just with a pious motion.

a farm left to him, given to him, or he had to marry one. Mr G. A. Harford (Rotorua) advocated a leasehold policy within the farming industry. Leasehold, he said was far preferable to freehold for the young man because it did not involve the lifelong burden of costs.