FEDERATED FARMERS

Evening Star, Issue 25770, 17 April 1946, Page 5

FEDERATED FARMERS

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL REMITS FROM BRANCHES A series of remits from branches of. the Federated Farmers was considered at .yesterday's meeting of the Otago Provincial Council, at which Mr J. S. Hunt presided. HIGH-COUNTRY PROBLEMS. Mr'Andrew and Mr G. L. Burden, of Wanaka, as a deputation representing high-country nmholders, reported on a meeting held on the previous evening to discuss their difficulties. They asked the executive's support for the following resolutions passed at the meeting:— " Owing to the desperate position of the high-country runholders, which has rapidly deteriorated of recent years, this meeting of runholders requests the setting up of a tribunal to investigate the best method of affording immediate relief to this section of the community. To ensure that this country remains in occupation, it is essential that relief should come before the. next wool season." " That this meeting considers it imperative that high-country interests be given representation on the council of the Federated Farmers because of the specialised nature of their calling." The meeting strongly urged the Provincial Executive to view favourably the following remit from the Wakatipu branch:—" The high-country section of the Wakatipu brand) is greatly concerned at the threat by the French Consul that it would be necessary to restrict the wool buying from New Zealand unless a better trade balance were agreed on. . The branch urges the Federated Farmers to wait on Mr Nnsh to discuss this position, and point out its serious effect, especially on the high-country section of the community."—The executive decided unanimously to support the representations made. .'.• HOSPITAL RATING. On the subject of hospital rating, the following resolution was passed:— " That the Federated Farmers strongly support a national health insurance scheme financed by compulsory direct contributions levied on wages, salaries, or personal income on a flat rate in the £—benefits to be available without any limitation of income or in any other way. The total cost of hospital finance to be a charge on the fund."

It was deckled also to urge the Dominion Executive to consider the circulation of petitions in city and country asking the Government to finance all hospital costs from direct taxation. CARRIAGE OF LIME. The meeting approved the recommendation of the. Lime Committee, recently set up in Dunedin, that motor transport should be used to supplement the railways in the carriage of lime. Mr G. B. Crawford was appointed the executive's representative on the committee. PRICE OF WHEAT. Discussion took place on a Milton remit—" That this branch registers a strong protest against the price of wheat for the 1946-47 season." The price fixed was not economic, stated the letter from the branch, considering the increased costs and the shortage of labour. " It is a crime against humanity that the Government does not realise that every bushel of wheat imported into New Zealand is taking food away from Europe." said Mr Andrew. "It ap- ' pears that the Government does not want us to grow wheat." i It was decided to urge the National ; Agricultural Committee to press for a •conference with the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr D. G. Sullivan, to discuss the price of wheat.