FARMERS’ POSITION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 6

FARMERS’ POSITION

EFFORTS TO EASE BURDEN UNION CONSIDERS MEASURES The executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union recently referred the question of reviewing its political plationn and of considering what further action should he taken to the economic committee of the union. A full meeting of the economic committee was held at Wellington this week, when decisions were arrived at on a variety of questions designed to help the country and the farming community in the present difficulties. The report deals with farm relief as well as a political platform particularly in regard to rural finance.

MORTGAGE A DJUSTMENTS The following resolution was carried: “That in order to afford opportunities for relief in cases of hardship, Rural Finance Adjustment Boards should be set up in each land district to whom farmers unable to renew their mortgages might appeal, such boards to hear the evidence of botli parties, and make recommendations. In the event of such recommendations not being accepted, the hoard to have the power to submit the matter to some judicial authority to he set up by the Government .for the purpose.” Members were of the opinion that much useful work would be performed by the district boards in re-arranging mortgages, and that some ultimate tribunal 1 was required to which cases could he referred when the hoards could not effect a settlement.

DIAINTENANCE OF PRODUCTION

In order to prevent a national disaster, members were unanimous in stating that the production of primary produce had to be kept up and even in creased, also that the working of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board should bo supported by the Government in order to enable it to obtain finance. The following resolutions were car--1 “That the Government should be asked to provide financial backing for the fertiliser companies for an extended period, m order that the companies might be enabled to extend similar credit to co-operative concerns and merchants on condition that they m turn pass on the concession to the farmers.” , . “That- the Government be asked to consider a scheme for setting up an Appeal Board to consist of the Minister of Finance and the chairman of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board, the Unemployment Board, and the State Advances Board to which the Intermediate Credit Board could submit cases referred to it by the associations of fanners deserving of assistance in the opinion of the associations, ill order to meet interest payments and maintain them on their farms. That the cost ot such assistance be borne by the State in the meantime, hut be a secondary charge upon the assets of the borrower collectable bv the Rural Intermediate Credit Board through its associations who, as agents for the Crown, should undertake the supervision of the borrowers’ finance and operations similar to the supervision of their own members, and that one of whose members may appear on behalf of the applicants before the Central Boards.” In order to give a decided impetus to the sale of Rural Intermediate Credit Board debentures, it was' decided to ask the Government to give the same support to these debentures as is statutorily provided for rural advances bonds. Members were of the opinion if this were done the Rural Intermediate Credit Board would have at least an equal opportunity with the Government of raising money wherever the bonds were offered for sale.

REDUCING FARMERS’ COSTS In support of a reduction of farm costs, the following resolutions were Ca ‘‘This committee, convinced that the effect of the operations of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act has been to restrict employment, cripple industry, and create stagnation, joins with the employers’ organisations ill demanding that a system of ■compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration be substituted for the existing law. “That legislation similar to that ot 1921 be enacted, empowering the Arbitration Court simultaneously to review all existing awards.” “This committee, realising that rating for roading purposes is no longer fair burden upon the primary producer, inasmuch as the roads are carrying national traffic in competition with the railway, demands its abolition and the substitution of petrol taxation; further, this committee points out to tlio Government that the Dominion’s, diet competitors have also abolished land taxation as a capital tax operating unfairly ami draws attention to the additional hardship and injustice of such a system of taxation in a country dependent upon the prosperity of tho primary pioducer.” , , “This committee declares its conviction that the first essontial in reducing costs is to readjust taxation that the necessities and tools of production may be lowered in price by means of reductions in the Customs tariff, the difference being made up by luxury taxation as well as by increased liicomo taxation.” 11l addition, the committee was unanimous that the expenditure of both Government Departments and local bodies should be materially decreased. In this respect, the fpllowing resolutions were carried : . . “This committee demands drastic decreases in all Government and local bodies’ expenditure. All items of nonessential expenditure should be elniunated, and costs of administration reduced.” .. “This committee expresses disapproval at the waste of public money in tho continuation of a railway construction programme'which has been shown will add considerably to the enormous loss tho railways are already making ; and demands the cessation of new work and the utilisation of the labour in productive employment.” The committee was also of the opinion that the Government should give immediate relief to all the recommendations of the recent Railway Commission—in particular, the divorce of the operntion of the railways from political contioi. pOLITIGAL ACTION

A long discussion took place regarding ways and means of 'getting the farming community to make itself felt at future elections, as the opinion was expressed that the farming industry was in a desperate plight. Members were agreed that the only way that the farming community could have its wrongs righted was through the election of men who were sympathetic to the farming industry, irrespective of political party. The following resolution was carried “This committee recommends members to stand behind their leaders and do everything ill their power to place in Parliament those candidates who will support the union's platform, and who will undertake to light for the farmers’ cause.” It was suggested by the commiUoc that where all the candidates in an electorate agreed to the platform of the union, the executive of tho union, in which the electorate was situated should decile which candidate was to be supponed.