N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 July 1944, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

CONFERENCE DECISIONS.

WELLINGTON, July 19. A definite undertaking by the Cabinet “that no further controversial legislation likely to affect adversely the morale of farmers, with a consequent effect on production, will be introduced for the. duration of the war,” is to be sought by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, in terms of a resolution adopted at the annual Dominion conference to-day. The conference also decided to endeavour to obtain an assurance from the Government immediately that the country quota will not be interfered with, as such action would be a distinct breach of faith with the fighting services, specially those overseas. Another resolution expressed strong objection “to the practice of the Government in tying down the representatives of producers to complete and frequently unnecessary secrecy in discussions on prices and other matters.” The following remits relating to “hasty legislation” were carried: that strong and determined action be- tak--1 en by the union in regard to hasty legislation which concerns the farming industry, and that the union, as an official body for farmers, be given ample time to discuss all proposed legislation vitally affecting the farmers of the Dominion, and that the Dominion executive be instructed to organise farmers so tjjat drastic action may be taken if and when required; that the conference is strongly of opinion that no regulations affecting farm produce should be framed without producers being fully consulted, and suitable publicity given. The conference also agreed that the economic structure of the Dominion, labour awards, hours of work, and other remuneration should be based on the position of the primary industries, which provide the necessaries of life, as well as credit for imports. „ , „ . A price. for all produce that win enable farmers to pay competitive wages and provide reasonable living conditions is to be asked for at the conference. The conference expressed the opinion that it was unfair to ask for increased production while costs were increasingly high and prices below world parity, and urged that a Royal Commission of three Supreme Court judges be appointed to review immediately the activities of the Stabilisation Commission. The conference decided that the Dairy Board be asked to endeavour to have the whole case of dairying prices reopened, and the Dairy Board and the Dairy Industry Council will be asked to refrain from completing any fresh agreement before the dairy conference is held. MARKETING POLICY. WELLINGTON, July 19. Immediate consideration to the drafting of a post-war marketing policy, wherein producer control and representation should be emphasised, was decided on by the annual Dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The conference recommended active collaboration with Australian and other Empire producers, and, as a guide to the Dominion executive, approved of the principles outlined in proposals for what is known as the buffer stocks procedure. Mr. R. C. Buckleton (Makara) said the public was not yet advised of the post-war marketing position, or prospects. There had been a tremendous development of primary production in Great Britain, New Zealand’s best market. Margarine, of equal food content and flavour to butter, was being produced at half the price of butter-fat. Synthetic fibre production after the war would be a serious competitor for the wool industry. With meat, there was the production of synthetic foods from molasses and ammonia to feed the devastated countries. The President. Mr. W. W. Mulholland (Canterbury), said that within the next day or two there should be a statement from the Prime Minister about the long-term sale of New Zealand’s produce. He would not be surprised if the prices in the new agreement were considerably more than in the expiring agreement. The agreement would apply to other countries as well as New Zealand, and he had no doubt it would bo announced. Mr. Mulholland said the wool position was going to be difficult after the war. There would be a huge accumulation of wool, much bigger than after the last war. At the last conference proposals had been submitted for post-war wool marketing, including provision for buffer stock for a number of years. Buffer stock would work only one way. Each year, probably for 10 years, more would have to be sold than one year’s production in order to reduce accumulated stocks. That would mean prices would be forced to a moderate level. “With organisation. 1 believe we can prevent disaster. Wtihout it, the wool industry will practically wiped out,” said Mr. Mulholland. MR. MULHOLLAND RE-ELECTED. WELLINGTON, July 20. An Auckland remit that the money in the Meat Pool Fund to the credit of the producers should be used to underwrite the purchase of freezingworks as and when they become available with the object of making the freezing industry a co-operative industry under producer control was carried. A proposal that the money should be returned to the' producer was lost on the voices. The conference expressed wholehearted support of the Meat Board in its efforts to secure the abolition of the existing deductions on all classes of meat, and further urged the Board to use every effort to hdve the control of the existing pool funds vested in a producer-controlled body. Mr. W. W. Mulholland was reelected Dominion President. Returning thanks, he remarked that this year was his 40th consecutive year of office with the Union, eight of them as Dominion President. Colonel F. Waite and Mr. A. BriscoeMoore (Whangarei) and Mr. K. J. Holyoake, M.P. (Dannevirke) were re-elected Vice-Presidents, and Mr. W. Horrobin (Waikanae) Treasurer. The conference affirmed the need for the Farmers’ Federation taking effective steps with the assistance of an able economist to prepare a case for submission to the Stabilisation Commission in support of a revision of prices for primary products from time to time. It was also urged that when pay and wage arrangements were being made steps should be taken to see that all other sections of the farming industry should be consulted before any agreement was made.

A tribute was paid to the womenfolk on the farms and the wives and daughters of farmers, who, said Mr. Briscoe-Moore, were the real Land Army and carried on without recognition. They had given sustained and devoted service.