Farmers discuss industrial unrest

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 17

Farmers discuss industrial unrest

If freezing works disputes and other industrial stoppages continued. New Zealand might become the Chatham Islands of world trade, Mr N. Q. Wright, of Sheffield, said at a meeting of the executive committee of North ( anterbury Federated Farmers .yesterday.

j The committee was dis-, jeussing a remit from the [Fernside branch that the Government be urged to take I firm and immediate action' with militant unions. Proposing the remit. Mr S.j F Smith said that his branch was concerned that the negotiations set down for October on the rates of pay for freezing workers might break down or reach a deadlock. “This could again result in. a halt to killing at a critical 1 time,” he said. Government’s “duty” “Having witnessed the recent Wellington dispute, where export meat had to be returned for refreezing, and also the container dispute, which is the latest episode in the pathetic history of industrial relations, we insist that in all cases of stoppages or strikes where the export of perishable produce is concerned it is the duty of the Government to see that work continues while negotiations are proceeding.” Mr Smith said.

“We have recently heard words in plenty from the Government, but seen very little action, and we consider, as producers, that we should press the Government to act promptly on matters where two negotiating parties canmot agree, so that a continuation of work may be ensured.” The chairman (Mr P. G. Morrison, of Sheffield) said that farmers were not part of the economic snowball that everyone seemed able to join. “Many people are getting a cost-of-living increase, but some people want an increase above this, as of right,” he said.

Some farmers were getting $3O to $35 a week, compared with the take-home pay of the person who processed the products farmers produced. Mr V. S. Shadbolt (Banks Peninsula) suggested that farmers should form a compulsory union, join the Federation of Labour, and get some negotiating powers instead of trying to talk to unions over the fence.

The remit was adopted. Taxes and rates A remit from the Ha-warden-Waikari branch that farmers should be allowed full exemption for children bom during the tax year, regardless of whether their balance date is March 31 or June 30, was referred to a committee for further consideration. Mr J. K. Fincham said that from information available it would appear that if children were bom before March 31 in any year, the exemption was applicable. But if a child was born after that date and the parents’ tax year ended at a later date, the exemption did not apply until the end of the following tax year. Mr C. A. MacDonald (CustWest Eyreton) said that the remit did the image of farmers no good, .and was of doubtful value anyway. Mr A. L. Mulholland (Darfleld) said it was perhaps a matter for the Family Planning Association rather than Federated Farmers. A Hawarden-Waikari remit, which strongly opposed the increase in the maximum rate levied by pest destruction boards, from 10c to 15c an acre, was adopted. Mr Fincham said that farmers should fight increased costs, and the new maximum represented an increase of 50 per cent.

Mr M. R. Murchison (highcountry committee) said that the boards should be looking at more economic methods of getting rid of rabbits, instead of increasing the rates. Tractor tyres.— Mr Mulholland reported that a shortage of some sizes of tractor tyres in the South Island had apparently been caused by poor

liaison between one company’s branch office in Christchurch and the head office in Wellington. Twenty-five 18.4 x 30 tyres had been found in Wellington by the company and inquiries were continuing about the apparent shortage of other tyres.

Standard contract form.— An opinion from the committee’s legal adviser was read, which indicated that he was [not in favour of a standard ■form for feed barley contracts, because of the differing circumstances in each individual case. However, the [meeting decided to give [further consideration to the I idea, possibly leaving blank [spaces in appropriate places lon the form. Talks on wool report North ■ Canterbury Federated Farmers will hold a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the Battelie Institute's report on the wool industry. Tile meeting will be for members of the provincial executive and its meat and wool sections. A representative of the Wool Board, Mr L. Chapman, will also attend.