Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1939. FARMERS’ PROBLEMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 July 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1939. FARMERS’ PROBLEMS.

good many of the “men on the land” have left it temporarily, this week, and have made their voices heard in Wellington, the occasion being the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The report of the President (Mr. W. W. Mulholland), which was given lengthy publication in the “Star,” traversed fully the numerous phases of the primary industry, and presented some effective arguments, with a view to showing that the life of a farmer under the Labour Government is not altogether happy. As a result of the Socialistic policy at present in operation, he

claimed, a large number of farmers were being forced to leave , their land, while others were finding themselves in serious financial ' difficulties. There has been a decrease in primary production, and farmers are being expected to forego claims which they consider are well-founded, while it is considered that the vital importance of ensuring the prosperity of the primary producers has been ,allowed to run second to the spate of industrial legislation. Costs are rising with alarming constancy, and prices fail to keep pace, it being stated that, in spite of .their efficiency, an increasing number of farmers are finding it impossible to make a reasonable living on their land. Mr. Mulholland quoted the Government’s claim that the people were enjoying a higher standard of living, but this apparently does not include the class which he represents. Prominent in the discussions has been the question of the guaranteed price, it being stated that the hopes raised when this scheme was inaugurated have not been realised. The original objective was to 1 ensure that the farmer would receive a return which would cover all his costs,- but the result has been on a par with those in the case of other Labour promises. So far as the guaranteed price is concerned, the Government was not even consistent. ,For instance, last year, it appointed an expert advisory committee, which recommended unanimously that prices be increased, to meet the higher costs. Instead of being accepted, this recommendation was over-ridden by the Minister for Marketing, : who expressed what has proved to be a futile hope, that it would be possible to stabilise costs. Members of the farmers’ deputation which interviewed Ministers in Wellington .this week, declared that anything less than the price recommended by. the advisory committee could J not be accepted, for the coming ■ season, without, leading to further ’ .hardships. Other problems pre- ■ sented ineluded/the exchange rate, ’ financial assistance, hospital taxas tion, transport charges, and the shortage of farm labour. According to Mr. Fraser, the Government is fully aware of the difficulties • facing the industry, and he stated that they should be capable of ■ solution. Will the Government agree to change the policy which has caused the difficulties?

Referring to the shortage of labour on farms, Mr. Webb magnanimously offered to send his placement officers to ascertain the requirements, but he at the same time admitted that similar efforts, made when he first took office, had not been successful. The Minister’s hope, that increased economic security for farmers would result in more-attractive conditions for workers, was humorous, when it is considered that the farmers hold the Government, of which Mr. Webb is a member, as being responsible for the present lack of economic security. The fact that it has been found necessary to set up a commission to inquire into the conditions of the .sheep-farming branch of the industry shows that there must be some ground for the complaints made by the farmers. One speaker in the House has pointed out that the price of .wool is only one per ,cent. higher now than it was in 1914, whereas farm costs have risen by 50 per cent. Both branches of the industry appear to look with disfavour upon the guaranteed price, and therefore the suggestion made in Parliament, that a plebiscite should be taken on the question, seems to be worthy of consideration. The reply of the Prime Minister, who promised such consideration, gives ground for hope that he is at last realising the fact that his former attitude, to the effect that “anyone who gets in the way of the Government is going to be hurt,” is unworthy of anyone in his position. The farmers have expressed willingness to co-operate in efforts to improve the position, and there is good reason behind their request for immediate action.