Far-Reaching Farming Proposals

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 7

Far-Reaching Farming Proposals

Labour Conference Recommendations (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. The establishment of co-operative and collective farms will be recommended to the Government by the Labour Conference. This and other far-reaching proposals affecting the fanning industry were contained in the remits which came before the conference to-day, many of which were endorsed. The conference endorsed a proposal that farm lands not in full production be taken for soldier development. A further remit proposed that prospective farmers be graded according to their ability before being allowed to purchase land. In this form the remit was not adopted, but the land and agriculture committee proposed that, where Government lands were involved, a system of grading be evolved. The conference adopted this recommendation. The Government is to be asked to institute a progressive rural housing scheme and to encourage greater primary production. When a remit proposing consider*, tion of rural manpower problems came forward, Mr. G. A. Hensen, convener of the committee, reported that there was no farm labour shortage to-day. He said the Director of Manpower (Mr. H. L. Bockett) had just been round the rural areas and reported that tj»jre was no serious shortage. Measures to give special privileges to returned men were recommended in remits before the conference. The following proposals were endorsed and will bo brought before the Government for consideration: — That no house property or business be sold to a civilian if a returned man requires it. That in the event of further hotel licenses being granted, returned Service personnel be given priority. That returned servicemen who have lost a limb or have any other injury will not suffer reduced pensions or bo forced to accept lower wages than tho scale provided by the industry concerned. That an official Service badge ho issued to all returned Service personnel. A proposal that public servants be given a greater share in the management of State departments was approved. It was also decided to recommend that the work and services of the State departments be given more publicity. The conference recommended that the setting-up of local efficiency committees within the various departments be encouraged; also that no member of the Government services should be transferred until suitable accommodation had been provided by the department concerned, or should such member be penalised in any future promotion. “There has been no discussion of Mr. J. A. Lee, and I dont think there ia likely to be,” said Mr. James Thorn, M. of the Press committee of the Labour Conference, to-night. Mr. Thorn spoke in comment on a suggestion made in several quarters that the readmission of Mr. J. A. Lee, leader of the Democratic Labour Party, to membership of the Labour Party, would bq a subject for consideration at thd conference.

* ‘ There has been no remit on the subject,” Mr. Thom said, “and no approach has been made. I cannot see any reason for believing that the matter will be discussed.”