FARMING COSTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 4

FARMING COSTS

MOVE FOR RELIEF

EFECT OF INDUSTRIAL

CHANGES

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day,

Introducing a discussion on farmers costs at a meeting of the Mahawa.tu provincial executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday, Mr. E. O. Bond (Awahuri) suggested that a committee should be set up to collect all available evidence. Farmers would not be able to get anything done to help_ them unless they produced concrete evidence of what recent industrial changes were costing them. Wives and children were having to work in cowbails and there seemed little chance of shorter hours for the farmers themselves. He questioned whether some farmers, after meeting all the increased costs, would be able to afford a holiday. "I think it is a move on the right lines," stated Mr. C. P. Jensen (Te Horo), in seconding the proposal. Farmers'.had been told that they^ would not be worse off than other workers, yet the position was that they would be in many, cases. . \.- Mr. J. Boyce CGlen Oroua) said he saw no reason' why farmers should have to work 80 hours a.week and their employees 40. How the Government was going'to get around that point"; he did not know.. . ' ' . '■■'-' The secretary was instructed to prepare a schedule of increased costs.for the next meeting. ... " r . The following remit from the Linton branch was adopted, and is to be forwarded to the Minister:—"That the Farmers' Union be requested to assist in reaching finality in the matter .of the labour award for the remaining branches of the agricultural industry, in order that the award may be available to the Mortgagors' Relief Court in reaching its decisions." ■ , .' ■■'~',. BUTTER-FAT PREMIUM. The various branches of the union in the province are to be, asked to express' an opinion on the following remit:—"That butter-fat, produced during the months of May, Jun6, and July should be at a premium of 2d "per, lb over that supplied during the rest of the year, and that the Government ;be asked to increase the guaranteed price by that amount during those months," The branches, are also. ,to be .asked for an opinion on an Opiki remit worded as follows:—"That those clauses! of the- Stock Act dealing with condemned livestock be. amended so .that compensation may be computed on the basis of replacement value instead of market value." , , In connection' with a circular to branches on the subject of compulsory unionism, - the ■ secretary reported that six,were in favour, two had opposed it, and one thought the time inopportune. It was also reported that only half the farmers belonged to ; the , -Farmers' Union, but the remainder were reaping the benefits of the union's activities. .. ■ : . Mr. Bbyce-moved that the executive endorse the principle of compulsory unionism. "I don't like it, but we hava to move with the times," he stated. The motion was carried. . ; . -. It was. decided to advise the,Domih.ion executive that a majority of the branches were opposed to the Government taking control of meat and wool. .'. The Otaki branch asked'that-some-thing be done' to impress farmers iwith the seriousness ,of the .spread of-rag-.w,ort, and the executive-: agreed; to do 'so. . , ' .-'■'.' ■■' :- ' ■;.' "The organiser-reported an increase 1a branch membership from 271 to 937.;; A motion, "That owing to the increased expenditure on hospitals the Government be asked to institute a State lottery on similar lines to 'New South Wales," was carried unanimous^ ly. The proposal was moved by Mr." J. T. Kent (Waikanae), who said it differed from previous' resolutions in that the whole of the proceeds would be available for hospital purposes. Charitable aid would probably be looked after by; the. national health insurance scheme.