LOSS OF EQUITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 1 July 1939, Page 5

LOSS OF EQUITY

FARMERS’ FEARS FOR THE FUTURE INCREASING TAXATION AND COSTS (Unite*! I*iew Association] GISBORNE. 30th June. Fully 300 farmers attended a mass meeting, convened by the Poverty Bay A. and P. Association, in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union and the Sheopowners’ Federation in Gisborne | to-day. The following resolutions were adopt--1 cd unanimously:— “Farmers at this mass meeting view ' with alarm the approaching loss of their equity, in many cases built up ; e ver a number of years. Wc are deeply apprehensive about increasing taxation and rising costs generally. We express alarm at the drift of farmers’ sons to employment in public works, which now' may be more attractive than farm | work. We request the Government to ; recognise the fact that standard reward of some sections of the com* i n.unity is in excess of that which our ; production can provide. Believing that I the general standard of living is dependent on the welfare of primary producers. we ask the Government to explore every avenue through which the continuing rise in farming costs can be immediately checked and ultimately reduced. We request that the Poverty Bay farmer should be allowed opportunity of giving evidence before the Royal Commission, with a view to bringing before the notice of the com- , mission means whereby these reductions in costs can be brought about.” “We strongly urge the amalgamation of all producers’ organisations, and we : consider the first step should be the amalgamation of the Farmers’ Union and the Sheepowners’ Union, and therefore we ask local executives to take immediate steps to place this request for amalgamation before the respective head offices.”