Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1924. THE FARMERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1075, 23 July 1924, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1924. THE FARMERS’ UNION.

The deliberations at the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, which is now being held in Wellington, should be of more than passing interest to the whole of the residents of this Dominion for the reason that the prosperity we enjoy depends entirely on the man on the land. The primary producer—the farmer— is really the filter through which the stream of prosperity flows before it reaches the hands—or pockets- of those who dwell in the towns and cities. "Without primary industries in a country such as this there can be no secondary industries. Under these circumstances it is fitting that all sections of the community should be interested in the discussions at and the decisions of the conference now sitting in Wellington. As is usual a wide range of subjects will be brought under review, and some of these have been briefly referred to in the opening address of the ..president, Mr Poison. In his address, a summary of which was published in our yesterday’s issue, Mr Poison stressed the necessity for organisation, and it is hoped that his referencs in this connection will receive proper consideration from those concerned. Although there are organisations—the Farmers’ Union, the Dairy Farmers’ Union, Agricultural and Pastoral Associations and Co-operative Societies—which represent their interests, yet farmers are very imperfectly organised—not being nearly so well organised as many other sections of the community. Those who hold aloof from one or other of theirorganisations are, in factj neglecting their own interests and preventing a complete and effectual organisation. Farmers sometimes complain that the activities of other combinations are detrimental to their interests and, incidentally, they fail to realise that combination can only be met by combination. By failing to link up with one or other of the organisations advancing their interests they have only themselves to blame if "they are dissatisfied with the conditions prevailing. Suggestions have been made that they have too many organisations and that they would be better served by having one only. This is, of course, a matter for the' farmers themselves to decide. Something is, liowevor, wanted to bring them closer together and tho appeal made by Mr Poison should receive due consideration from those engaged in farming.

THE DRIFT TO THE TOWNS

In his appeal to primary producers to organise, Mr Poison pointed out that whereas the wealth of Australia and America —and he might have added,' with equal correctness, New Zealand--was at one time chiefly hold by the country it is now almost entirely i.i_ possession of the towns. We wonder why there is this drift from country localities to the towns. It is impossible to correctly attribute this drift to any one particular cause. In tbit country a large variety of circumstances contribute to this result, notj the least important of which is tho persistent tinkering with legislation by our legislators. Attractive artificial conditions aro created in respect to town life, while tho occupation of the land is, in effect, discouraged by restrictive and penalising legislation am regulations. Townspeople are uncon sciously taught to look on it as ulmes 1 a crime for anyone to own rural land.

Despite tfie development of tfip country and the provision of amenities in the more settled localities country life is being made less and less attractive to the monied class (if we may use the term)- It does lint seem to bo realised by mapy people that capital and labour must work together ill the country as well as in the towns if the former is to be properly developed, and country life is being made—-unconsciously, no doubt —unattractive to those possessed of capital. There is a lack of stability—an uncertainty respecting tfie results of h(8 inyestriients and labour so far as the man on the land is concerned. And there is a grave danger that this lack of stability will be increased if the Government should yield to tho pressure and give effect to the recommendations as a whole of the Taxation Commission. Normal conditions —stability—are of vital importance at the present moment, and yet wo are faced with the probability of a radical change ip the jiicicfenee of taxation. That changes in tho direction of the removal -of anomalies in the land and income tax laws are necessary no one denies; there is, also, an urgent need for a reduction in direct taxation and the easement of the graduated land tax in particular. But there should he no radical change in the incidence of taxation.