FARMERS’ UNION.

Northland Age, Volume II, Issue 33, 20 August 1930, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

A general meeting ot the Kaitaia Branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held in the Library Hall on Saturday, August 9, at 8 p.m.

Mr. A. W. Masters was in the chair, and there were also present Messrs J. W. Jones (President of the Bay of Islands Executive), C. Michie, R. Michie, H. Parker, E. Parker, J. Mattjhews, P. Hansen, A. G. Bell, C. S. Puckey, M. Matich, A. Quarterman, H. Quarterman, J. Stewart, J. Morrison, J. C. Mafsh, T. Coulter, D. Lewis and A. A. Bell (assistant secretary). A discussion took place on the, decision ot the Commissioner of State Forests to cease selling trees to farmers after the end of the present season. In reply to a protest by this branch the Prime Minister staled that it was considered that the private nurserymen could handle this business efficiently and that no action would be taken. Mr. Jones contended that the nurserymi n would be unable to supply sufficient trees to satisfy the demand as their stocks of these classes of trees were low, and that, furthermore, this is outside the scope of their legitimate business. Proposed A. Quarterman, and seconded J. Stewart, “That this branch considers the Prime Minister’s reply re selling ot trees to farmers as uusatisfactory and protests strongly against his decision.’’’ Carried.

Proposed J. C. Marsh and seconded D. Lewis, “That this meet ing regrets that the taxation proposals of the Government will, it adopted, lead inevitably to a further increase in the cost of living and fall ultimately to be met by the primary producers, who are already the chief sufferers from the general fall in world’s food prices.”

The secretary announced that the Kaitaia Branch of the Women’s Division of the N.Z.F.U. were holding a dance in the A. and P. Hall on Friday 22nd inst. and asked for the support of all members of this branch of the Farmers’ Union. Mr. Jones gave an instructive address on several subjects. In referring to the unsatisfactcry position of the primary industries, he pointed out two alternatives : —(i) Obtaining highest prices tor our produce; or (2) Cutting down the present high cost of production. He showed that, as our produce has to compete in the open markets of the world, at world’s prices, we cannot affect the price obtained for it and that the only alternative left is to reduce the costs of production. In outlining the Uuion’s proposals in this connection, he quoted from the following remit carried at the 1930 Dominion Conference. (t) That all taxation on the necessities of life be removed.

(2) That all taxation on the tools and implements of production be removed.

(3) That steps be taken to amend the banking system to prevent combined actions by the associated banks. (4) That, following the president in Great Britain, all farm lands be exempted from rates for roading purposes, the deficiency in finance thus created to be made good by increased petrol tax.

Any deficiency in revenue due to the foregoing might be made good by an increase in the following Tax on licened houses in proportion to liquor sold ; small additional tax on all tickets for amusements and totalisator, increased tax on luxuries, increase under income tax, increase tax on

foreign films, and the judicious elimination of waste in the administration of national affairs.

He went on to say that the statement that the world’s trouble is over-production is quite fallacious. The cause is faulty distribution and gave as an illustration the fact that it has been reported that while corn is rotting in the United States and Canada, thirteen million in China must die of starvation during the coming winter.

He then gave the Unions attitude towards the proposed unemployment legislation. The Union considers the granting of the “dole” is admitting unemployment in the Dominion to be a permanent thing and this admission should not be countenanced. This is only encouraging men to live on charity and is degrading the population generally. The Union also advocates that relief work should, when possible, be let on contract or by piecework and that wages on relief works shonld be less than the standard wage. He also considered that married and single men should not be paid the same wage as at present, In conclusion he stressed the urgent need for co-operation among primary producers especially in connection with the marketing ot their produce. The “one buyer” organisation of the merchants should be met by a “one seller” organisation of the producers. A vote of thanks to Mr. Jones was carried by acclamation.

The meeting was brought to an end with the passing of a vote of thanks to the chairman.