Farmers’ Union Policy

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 168, 17 July 1937, Page 6

Farmers’ Union Policy

D . PLATTOEM planks adopted at CONFERENCE Per Press Association. n WK r LTNGTON, July 16. j. The New Zealand Farmers' uni j\ e at its annual conference at Wellington l t yesterday, adopted a jiatform, ini-uti-c ing, among others, tbe following e plansk:— il State Ownership and Control: (a) n The union is opposed to State ownerr ship and control of the means of proi- duction, distribution and exchange; (b) o nevertheless, it holds that it is dosirt able that the State should operate cer< i* tain public services, especially where, *5 by their nature they must bo of ;i »“ monopolistic character, such as rad* f ways, telegraphs, and electricity. Co-operation: The union strongly; P supports the principle of co-operatioD 1 where it will enable farmers more economically to produce and market their u ! produce, (a) It strongly supports the £ co-operative provision of farm finance; v ; (b) it supports the processing for markets, the marketing of primary proi ducts and the provision of supplies and T ! services by producer-controlled co-op--13 erative organisations; (c) it denies Jj’)that where in order to make tlio cof j operative processing for markets and e the marketing of farmers 1 products fully effetcivo in meeting the organs ised competition of other countries, the e Government makes co-operation compulsory, the State has any right to take the control out of tko hands of the farmers. fi Taxation: (1) That direct taxation d replace indirect taxation as far as posd, sible; (2) that all direct taxation be t- levied on personal income only, and be 1 io graduated that the burden falls most y heavily on those best able to bear it; u (c) that all taxation payments be ex- > empt from further taxation; (3) that i, taxation through the Customs bo for i y revenue purposes only, and be confined n mainly to luxuries; (4) that where ase sistance and encouragement of local >* industries is necessary, it be given in d the form of subsidies. S Motor Taxation and Road Finance. l " That the whole cost of road construcl* tion and maintenance, including interl* est and principal charged on roading Q leans, be borne by users. f Land: That, except in regard to lands held for specific purposes, the holder shall be entitled to acquire the freehold e from the State under fair and reason- ° able conditions. The union strongly supports a national health insurance scheme, financed by compulsory direct contribu lions levied on wages, salaries or personal income on a flat rato in the £, . benefits to be available without any _1 limitation of income or in any other way, the total cost of hospital treatment to be a charge on the fund. The union also supports a universal national provident fund similarly financed to provide for all pensions and allowances for public services. The union approves the control of tho issue and withdrawal of currency by a national authority free of political control.