N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1940, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

RECOVERY OF COSTS Question of Price Guarantee [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, July H. At the New Zealand Union Conference, a remit submitted, by the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive was carried as follows: — “We believe that, in view of the heavy financial' burden which the wai' has imposed on the people of Britain it would be as unfair as it is unwise for New Zealand to press for higher prices; but we would point out that this attitude requires that other sections are prepared to adopt a similar attitude and to work harder for a matter return.” An additional remit, however, was adopted as follows: —

“If further added internal costs were to be loaded against farmers then they would be forced in the interests of production to press for increased prices in New Zealand currency for their products.” A remit from the Otago Provincial Executive demanding that, the Gcivernnuejit take dbasttc steps immediately to stop all subversive propaganda and where Government employees had been guilty, to dismiss them from their positions without superannuation, was carried. The remit added that naturalised subjects who had been disloyal should have tneir naturalisation papers cancelled without delay and should be relieved of their public positions where sucn were held. The conference passed a resolution, that the Dominion Executive proceed immediately to provide machinery whereby the Union can act as trustee and administrator of the estates of farmers, especially those proceeding on active service. The executive was also instructed to request all provinces to take immediate steps to establish, through the branches, committees to undertake the supervision of the farms of farmer-soldiers on active service. . A remit was adopted in which the Government is urged to give every assistance in the paying of death duties, by means of instalments spread over a period of years at current rates of interest; also that, where a soldier’s death occurs on active service, or is due to war service, neither estate duty nor succession duty be charged on sucte an estate where it goes to near r.ela tlo Mr‘ Sexion (Auckland) remarked that it would be a standing disgrace, if the law requiring payment of heavy duties upon estates transferred to the wives and sons of soldiers ki ed on active service, was n'ot amendThe reason why he consented to become a member of the War Council while still holding the view that, the formation of a War Cabinet m New Zealand was absolutely necessary, was given by the president of the Farmers’ Union (Mr W. W. MulhollaMr; Mulholland said all members of the union knew that he had stronglv advocated the formation of a national government. He had cont^d^ also that the War Council was m no ■sen c e a satisfactory substitute for War Cabinet. “I contended,” he said “and I still believe that we can have only one government. ’ When invited to take a seat, on tn War Council' his mind was very uncertain as to what action heshould take, because of the opinions he held, said Mr Mulholland. That nighL however, news was received of inc French surrender, and he changed ms mind and offered his ]° the Prime Minister. Mr Mulholland add ed that he was assured by th, e Prime Minister that the formation of a national war council would in no way jeopardise the forming of a war caoinet “I accepted this seat on the War Council, but it has not changed my views regarding the necessity of a War Cabinet,” he said.