Suggest Way To Stop Production Decline

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 7

Suggest Way To Stop Production Decline

(Special.)

AUCKLAND, This Day

In a statement read to the Chamber of Commerce Council today, the New Zealand Farmers’ Union advanced several means of arresting production decline in the Dominion.

The union suggested payment of prices for produce which would cover all' costs of production and allow sufficient to pay competitive wages, the release of skilled manpower for permanent farm work, provision of domestic assistance, and consideration of rural housing on an extensive scale for married employees. It also considered that provision should be made for tax exemption of farmers’ income in respect of the amount normally spent on manures and maintenance.

The opinion was expressed that if decisive steps were taken upon the lines suggested farmers could be relied upon to respond loyally and to the best of their abilily to arrest the fall and increase production of food needed as a munition of war.

The chamber’s chairman (Mr. F. G. Easkett.) said that at a conference yesterday with the Auckland Farmers' Union, it decided to set up a committee representing all sections of the community to go into all aspects of the position, and it was hoped to be able to draw up something constructive to forward to the Government to assist.in improving the present situation.