Success Achieved In Many Fields By Federation

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22887, 5 March 1949, Page 6

Success Achieved In Many Fields By Federation

Confining himself particularly to the successes achieved by the farmers’ organisations, initially the Farmers’ Union and latterly the federation, on behalf of the man on the land, the general secretary of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Mr. A. P. O’Shea, told farmers at a meeting in the Bon Accord rooms last night of the workings of the graduated system of subscriptions, recently adopted by this province, to average out at £2 10s per member. It would work satisfactorily provided the system was not made too complicated. He drew attention to the fact that the farmers’ organisation had brought about the deferred maintenance scheme and amendments to the Excess Profits Tax Bill, the latter having already saved thousands of pounds, to the farmers of the Dominion.

Similarly, the Farmers’ Union had fought strongly the setting up of a new Government department to handle hides on a proposed basis of the September 1, 1939, price plus 25 per cent. It was successful in having the hides scheme adopted which resulted in having over £1,000,000 more being put into. the pockets of the farmers of New Zealand than would have been the case had the other plan been adopted. “Here in one action alone, the operations of your organisation returned to the farmers of New Zealand more than 10 years’ annual subscriptions," he said, assuming that the ultimate aim of the federation should be an income of £IOO,OOO. Rights Secured for Farmers

The farmers’ organisation made it possible for the farmer to cart lime, manure and milk by trailer with only a payment for E plates, provided that the round trip did not consist of more than 13 miles. Also, it obtained the right for farmers to kill stock at freezing works on their own account, enabling producer-controlled pools to operate. There was the changed decision in regard to the so-called “cemetry for wool payment and the lowering of insurance premiums. Constant pressure at the start of the war saw to it that adequate cold storage space was made available. Some companies at that time had less space than they were required to have under their licenses. Had it not been rectified, there were times when a very large quantity of meat would have had to go through the digesters, and the loss to farmers would have been catastrophic. “There are numerous things that we could do to help you if we had more money,” continued Mr. O’Shea. “Under recent legislation every person in business in New Zealand is required to keep books, and that includes the farmer. One of the things that we could do if we had the time and the money is to foster farm accounting associations such as have been set up in some provinces, and which are doing a great job. It is our job to see that the farmer is being informed of the problems which affect him.” Dominion Levy of 18/-

“This year head office is asking for a Dominion levy of 18/-,” Mr. O’Shea said. “Our total farm production is in the region of £135,000,000. The amount that we are asking for head office income represents about .003 per cent of the total farm production. This is not a very great deal, but we want to have an organisation of which you will be proud.” At present the farmer was paying into his organisation about the same amount as a shop girl paid to her union. The waterside workers paid at least £5 a year to their union and in Wellington they paid more per head to keep their three brass bands going than the farmers of the Dominion paid to keep their whole organisation going. “I am not one of those people who believes that we will never have a depression again in the future, but we have got to see that food is not sold at bargain basement prices,” he continued. “If we are to exert any pressure internationally, then we must do it through an international farming organisation. On the question of alternative markets he. too, looked to America, where the population had risen 10,000,000 in 10 years and they were short of meat, butter and wool. To get produce into America without opposition it must be put through the producers’ co-operative organisations handling similar products. That would not arouse the hostility that might otherwise be occasioned. Helpful advice could be offered on the questions of pasture management, a problem of importance confronting American graziers.

Thanking Mr. O’Shea for his instructive address, the chairman, Mr. S. McGuinness, said the budget for £36,000 would not be sufficient as there would be no margin for any reserve. It was serious if an industry could not provide reserves in time of prosperity.