FARMERS “PLATFORM”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 194, 17 July 1937, Page 2

FARMERS “PLATFORM”

ADOPTION OF POLICY. DECISIONS AT~WE LLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July IG. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union, at its annual conference at Wellington yesterday, adopted a platform, including, among others, the following planks: State Ownership and Control : (a) The union is opposed to State ownership and control of the means of production, distribution and exchange; (b) nevertheless, it holds that it is desirable that the State should operate certain public services. especially where, by their nature, they must be of a monopolistic character, such as railways, telegraphs, and electricity. Co-operation: The union strongly supports the principle of co-operation where it will enable farmers more economically to produce and market their produce, (a) It strongly supports the co-operative provision of farm finance; (b) it supports the processing for markets, the marketing of primary products and the provision of supplies and services by producer-controlled co-operative organisations; (c) it denies that, where in order to make the cooperative processing for markets and the marketing of farmers’ products fully effective in meeting the organised competition of other countries, the Government makes co-operation compulsory, the State has any right to take the control out of the hands of the farmers.

Taxation: (1) That direct taxation replace indirect taxation as far ns possible; (2) that all direct taxation be levied on personal income only, and he so graduated that the burden falls most* heavily on those best able to bear it; (c) that all taxation payments be exempt from further taxation ; (3) that taxation through the Customs be for revenue purposes only, and be confined mainly to luxuries; (4) that where assistance and encouragement of local industries is necessary, it be given in tho iorm of subsidies. Motor Taxation and Road Finance: That the whole cost of road construction and maintenance, including interest and principal charged on roading loans, he borne by users. Land: That, except in regard to lands held for specific purposes, the holder shall be entitled to acquire the freehold from the State under fair and reasonable conditions. The union strongly supports a national health insurance scheme, financed hv compulsory direct contributions levied on wages, salaries or personal income on a flat rate in the £, benefits to be available without any limitation of income or in any otnei way, the total cost of hospital treatment to he a charge on the fund. The union also supports a universal national provident fund similarly nilanced to "provide for all pensions and allowances for public services. The union approves the control ot file issue and withdrawal of currency by a national authority free of political control.