WAIKATO FARMERS’ NEEDS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6887, 17 April 1929, Page 10

WAIKATO FARMERS’ NEEDS

CONFERENCE AT HAMILTON. The annual conference of the Waikato sub-provincial branches of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, adjourned from March 22, was continued at Hamilton on Friday. Mr. W. Loo Martin, M.P., for Raglan, presided. There was a fair attendance of delegates from the various branches. . A motion that the Dairy Produce Board should consist only of members elected by dairy producers was earned. As it was considered that the charges on rural telephone lines were too high, a resolution was passed recommending their reduction. The following remit was carried:— “That the basis of awards of the Arbitration Court should be the cost of living of a single man, plus allowances for dependants; allowances to be paid from a fund to bo derived from employers v payment per head on all employees who conic under the awards.’The chairman said the apparent object of this motion was to alter the whole basis of the payment of wages. In his opinion the remit was hedged about with difficulties and it would need a great deal of discussion to make the scheme practicable. One of the results would be that single men would feel they were not receiving sufficient payment for their work _ Mr T. Henderson said the object was not to reduce workers’ wages but to increase primary production. Ihe remit was then carried. The following remit was also earriej:—“That primary producers be allowed to place evidence before the Arbitration Court during the hearing of any dispute having close bearing upon primary industry.” Another remit carried was: ihat, i, ; . view of the huge and rapidly-grow-ing Slate and local-body debt, this conference calls upon the Government to immediately set up an impartial commission of economic experts to tully investigate and recommend economies.”