FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 297, 13 November 1934, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

MANAWATU PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

The Manawatu provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met on Saturday at Levin. Those present were Messrs J. A. McLeavey (chairman), A. G. Dear, J. J. Gallagher, L. Ballinger J. D. Avery, B. J. Lynch, H. J. McLeavey, B. G. Gower, R. C. Bishop, J. T. Kent, H. Bowling, L. H. Best, J. Boyce and Dawson (organiser). A remit received from the Levin branch in criticism of the system of collecting the Hospital Board’s fees was held over until the following meeting. With regard to the matter of the embargo on the importation of stock from any country where foot and mouth disease is known to exist, Mr J. T. Kent stated that a committee of the House of Representatives had decided that the embargo should be lifted, this being against the wishes of the union.

Mr Best thought that nothing should be done in the meantime.

The chairman considered that the matter be left, but advised members to keep a close watch on the trend of events.

DAIRY COMMISSION’S REPORT. A considerable discussion took place with reference to the report of the Dairy Industry Commission, particular reference being made to the Mortgage Corporation proposals. Mr It. C. Bishop suggested that a copy of the report be secured for each member of the executive in order that he would have a fidl opportunity to study the suggestions it embodied. He was of the opinion that the Mortgage Corporation proposal constituted a menace to the farming industry. The man on the land was to be saddled with further debt without an increase in the price of produce —in effect, tied to the land. He was surprised that the farmers were to receive so little help. Mr Best pointed out that so far the measure was merely a recommendation to the House.

Mr Bishop replied that the recommendation should be prevented before it was passed in the House, when trouble would result which would he the ruin of the union and of the factory system. Control of farming would be vested in the hands of the Reserve Bank and the Department of Agriculture. Mr Best said that lie was disappointed with the results of the Commission. He had hoped the costs of manufacture would have been reduced. He was of the opinion that the Reserve Bank was no detriment to the industry, and instanced the lower rate of interest which it had effected. The Mortgage Corporation proposals would, he thought, ease the finances of the country, and assist in lowering the costs of production and manufacture.

A motion was put that the secretary obtain copies of the report for members of the executive.

Mr Boyce was of the opinion that copies of the Mortgage Corporation Bill should be obtained. Parts of the Commission’s report had seen rejected by the Government. It was evident, he said, that the members of the Commission had had no knowledge of the conditions under which the smaller farmers were working, no evidence having been obtained from them. A large proportion of the farmers of New Zealand were milking under twenty cows. Mr Bishop moved, and Mr Avery seconded, that copies of the Bill be circulated, these to be secured as soon as available and forwarded to members of the executive. The motion was carried, the previous one being withdrawn.