Our Provincial Conference

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1938, Page 11

Our Provincial Conference

FARMERS ’ UNION COLUMN

(Supplied by Whangarei Sub-Prov-ince N.Z.F.U.).

• Tlie conference winch concluded last week alter sitting for four days must be ranked as quite one of the most successful and representative that has been held. Representing, asiit did, some 8000 odd farmers of the Auckland Province, the 12C delegates embraced supporters of every political party, and there was warm debate over some of the controversial questions, such for instance as the internal marketing policy of the Government. Nevertheless, the best of feeling prevailed throughout, the members taking seriously their responsibility of focussing farming opinion oh ‘what seemed to them the wisest lines. Dominion President's Speech. The Dominion President, Mr W. W. Mulholland; cjpened the conference, and was an interested listener to the debates for the first two days. The vote of appreciation accorded him before leaving was a genuine expression of goodwill to one who has taken the responsibility of his office very much to heart and given of his time and ability without stint. Empire Producers’ Conference.

One of the first matters to come before the conference were the resolutions passed at the recent conference of Empire Producers, held in Sydney, which both Mr Mulholland and Mr Melsopp had attended as New Zealand representatives. There was

manifest some apprehension concerning just what the resolutions committed us to, and full explanations were given by, those who had taken part in the discussions, the debate

centring round the formation of the proposed “commodity councils.” It was pointed out that the final decision as to whether they would take part in the proposed councils would rest with the representatives of each primary industry concerned—they would have the final say as to whether they •took part or not. Our two delegates were emphatically of the opinion that the move was a sound one with the above-mentioned safeguard, but others were not so sanguine, a prominent man in the dairying industry giving it as his opinion that the representatives of that industry would not agree to take part on the lines proposed. A remit dealing with New Zealand’s monetary policy evoked an interesting debate, the resolution call-

ing for close scrutiny of the Government’s monetary p.olicy and the exer-

r cise of all the influence possible to * ensure that new credit shall be put ■ into circulation through channels which will put purchasing power into the hands of the consumer without prejudicing' the position of the producer. It was pointed out that present monetary policy in the use of new credit for' capital works, such as housing, and an iron and steel ’industry, was having the effect of increasing the farmer’s economic disadvantage, by raising costs against him, while depleting the basis of our money issue—sterling funds held in London, on which issues of Reserve Bank Credit are made. It was coni tended that 'this was unsound, and * that a due proportion of such credit issues should be used in the producing industries, which - would put the farrier in his rightful place as a purchaser arid an .accretion instead of a depletion in sterling balances. The remit was carried, as was one calling for the appointment of a Royal Commission with full powers to ihvesti- ' gate the monetary system, , Derating, ‘ Derating was dealt wliii in a comprehensive remit which has been widely supported also by county councils, calling- for a system under which tire user will pay for the construction and maintenance of roads," including interest and principal on reading loans.

Tariffs. Tariffs were' discussed on a remit which affirmed strong op post ton to increased tariff?, or restriction of im-; ports, in the belief that any ad van- i tage claimed for a small section of the community will Ik.' completely; outweighed by the effects upon oun experts to the British market. A further resolution was carried that failing satisfaction in this matter wo : might have to consider refusing to purchase the product of local indus- \ nos thought to be unfairly pro-1 tected. Meat Prices, A committee was appointed to work j in the ensuing months on trying to , evolve some method of ensuring a j better stability of prices for meat on j a co-operative basis, and to meet ex- j porters and freezing companies with | a view of securing a reduction of 1 cost in the collection, killing and transport of stock from the farmer to the ship’s hold. i I Compensated Price. j

Colonel Closey gave an able address to the conference on the Compensated Price, which received overwhelming support as the best means of obtaining economic justice for the farmer. Remits were passed calling for the payment to the farmer of any surplus in .the dairy industry account as a result of the year’s operations and for the appointment of an independent tribunal to assess the Guaranteed Price. It is of interest to note that both these requests have since been definitely and publicly conceded by the Prime Minister. And yet the N.Z.F.U, has critics who say that we don’t do much for the farmer! Various Debates. Compulsory unionism as applied to the farmer was debated at length, and quite decisively turned down by the, conference. Another matter brought up was the delay in the hearing of appeals by the Court of Review. It was stated that hundreds of appeals were waiting to be heard on decisions given by the Mortgage commissions, and that with a new season rapidly approaching many people did not know. where they stood.

An urgent request was sent forward to the Government to appoint a second court or take whatever action was necessary to expedite matters. The Government was ( reproached with not having honoured its promises in the, matter of the freedom of the air, and strong exception was taken to the censorship and, virtual banning of the B stations.

Opposition to any lifting of the restrictions against foot and mouth disease was unanimous. A remit calling for the lifting of all duties and restrictions on the importation of pig and poultry foods received whole-

hearted support, as also did a resolution calling for the removal of all the irksome regulations and restrictions in connection with the cattle-dipping regulations’. Another resolution, passed was one; urging the exploitation of Eastern markets, while another on education asked for the provision of sufficient hostel accommodation, and the necessary transport facilities, to give all rural children the opportunity of a secondary education, which is often denied to them now. It was asked that farm labour be dealt with as a part of national policy and not by patchwork efforts. Preferential voting was supported, and a Royal Commission to investigate waterfront conditions was asked for. The figures for the year showed a sound financial position, with an increase in membership of 1,500 in the province. The retiring president, Mr H. O. Melsopp, received a presentation and a warm tribute of appreciation for the work he has done for the union over the last five years.