FARMERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 7, 8 December 1930, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION.

MANAWATU EXECUTIVE. DEMAND FOR ECONOMY. Resolutions recommending the reduction of expenses which were a charge on primary producers were passed at the monthly meeting of the executive of the Manawatu branch of tlie New Zealand Farmers’ Union in Palmerston North on Saturday. Mr O. P. Lynch presided. Others present were Messrs H. J. Richards, H. Bowling, B. G. Gower, H. J. MeLeavey, J. Gloyn, J. A. McLeavey, C. P. Jensen, N. Blackburn, H. Denton, R. Craig, A. G. Dear, H. Bond and J. T. Kent. Remits for submission to the provincial and Dominion conferences were passed as follow : (1) That the princely retiring allowances of public servants following princql.v salaries should be curtailed. (23 That during the present period of economic stress all salaries of Ministers, members of Parliament and civil servants from £3OO to £SOO be reduced by 10 per cent, and from £SOO upwards jiy 20 per cent. (3J That all relief work wages be fixed at 12s for married men and 9s per day for single men. (4) That the Government be asked to cease immediately from building railways which cannot show prospective profits. (5) That compulsory arbitration be abolished. OPERATIONS OF BOARDS. The chairman advanced the suggestion that the levies made by the Meat end Dairy Boards should be suspended, the boards to amalgamate in the meantime with the view to effecting economies.

Mr Bond disagreed with the amalgamation proposal. He stated that the Dairy Board contracts bad saved the producers a lot of money. The Government should economise by reducing the salaries of highly paid officers. It was ultimately suggested that the levies should be reduced as far as possible and that where possible the Meat and Dairy Boards should cooperate in effecting savings in freights, insurance and other directions. The meeting carried a resolution on jthose lines. GENERAL MATTERS.

Recently representations were made by the union to the acting Prime Minister protesting against the increased charge for keeping bank accounts and asking for an investigation of the matter. The Dominion secretary advised that the Government had felt that it could not directly interfere, although it was of the opinion that the banks might .well have refrained from imposing the additional charges. The Dominion secretary considered the reply “weak and unsatisfactory” and suggested that the provincial executives ask the acting Premier to take a firmer Stand. ~ , , , Mr Bond said a strong protest Should be made against a hundred per cent increase. On his motion a resolution asking for reconsideration of the matter was passed. Action in the matter of making a protest against increased railway freights on lime and fertilisers was held over, Owing to a report that they were not being imposed at preEent. NOTICES OF MOTION.

Two important notices of motion were given by Mr J. T. Kent (Waikanae) as follow: (1) That the Government be asked to take a referendum of all dairy farmers on the proposal to take steps to do away with the Dairy Produce the Government be asked to subsidise the dairy farmers in order to guarantee them a return of not Jess than Is per lb butterfat.