FARMING COSTS

Evening Star, Issue 19773, 25 January 1928, Page 2

FARMING COSTS

THE NATIONAL INQUIRY EARLY MEETING OF COMMITTEE [Special to the ‘ Stak.'] WELLINGTON, January 24. The Minister of Labor expects within a few days to announce the preliminaries of a movement which may develop into a very thorough investigation of the economic position of the New Zealand farmers. The question first came into prominence through the efforts of the Government to pass an amendment of the Arbitration Act exempting farming and allied occupations from any of the restrictions of awards of the Arbitration Court. The original measure met with such a generally critical reception last session that the Labor Bills Committee cut out twothirds of its provisions. There was further opposition, and the Government ultimately deleted the remaining part of the Bill, substituting a clause which has the effect of suspending any further alterations in awards relating to the fanning industry, or the creation of new awards until late this year, the object being to give time for a general investigation of the whole question. It became recognised by all parties in this controversy that much more was involved in the difficulties of the farmer than labor conditions, and the Prime Minister undertook to have the matter investigated on comprehensive lines during this recess. He named as a committee to prepare tbe_ preliminaries of the inquiry Mr Waite (Clutha), Mr Nash (Palmerston North), Sir John Luke (Wellington), and the Prime Minister, representing the Government; Mr P. Fraser (Wellington), Mr Savage (Auckland West), with Mr Forbes (Nationalist Loader), and Mr Ransom (Pahiatna). This committee is to be called together at an early date, and will discuss plans for organising the investigation of the many factors involved in farming costs. The intention of the Government is to make this investigation as wide as possible in the way of securing the best information and opinions bearing on the subject. Probably the whole recess will be required before conclusions are reached which will assist the Government to legislate when Parliament meets.