Mr. Hamilton May Give Evidence Before Farming Commission

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1939, Page 11

Mr. Hamilton May Give Evidence Before Farming Commission

[Per Press Association. Copyright .] INVERCARGILL, This Day.

‘‘l may take the opportunity to give some evidence before this Royal Commission myself, because there are some features of the farmers’ case which I think have never been , properly stated,” said the Hon. A, Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, commenting on the decision of the Government to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the position of sheep farmers. “The head of the Farmers’ Union, Mr W. W, Mulhollahd, is going round New Zealand talking about farmers’ difficulties,” Mr Hamilton added, “and the Prime Minister has taken him to task, saying that the complaints are more political than economic. “I do not think that is so, because I know, something of the difficulties of the farmers. I know of no other country in the world where it is so difficult to maintain an average standard ol living of primary producers as in New Zealand. No other country is so dependent on the price obtained for primary products, because of the very | high percentage of . such products I among our exports.”

Wheal Growers’ Advantage, Mr. Hamilton said prices could bo raised artificially for wheat farmers, because the .whole or practically all of the production of wheat could be used within the country, but for primary products," which were so largely exported for sale in open competition on the world market, it was very difficult to defencT the farmers’ standard of living against the shocks caused by reductions in prices overseas.

Mr. Hamilton said that the president of the Farmers’ Union had * said that costs must be kept down so that export prices were on a reasonable basis with internal costs. It was, however, difficult to keep costs to farmers on a basis comparative with their income.

Farmers Must Co-operate.

“I do not know any other remedy than for the fanhers to make their voice i heard on this question,” Mr. Hamilton said. Farmers were independent, and it was difficult to get them to speak with one voice, but if they were to secure a remedy to their present position they must be prepared to stand together.

“I notice that the Prime Minister is going to set up a Royal Commission to study the farmers’ problems. “This is an important decision from the Prime Minister’s point of view and the farmers want to take full’notice of it and present their case without a flaw. ,

“Here is an opportunity for establishing a basis which should be authoritative for all time, and it is up to those presenting the case to justify their claims.”