VESSELS FOR PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17483, 29 May 1920, Page 7

VESSELS FOR PRODUCE.

Advocates of State Ownership-

FARMERS' SHIPPING LINE,

CONFERENCE PROPOSALS.

GOVERNMENT AID URGED.

A resolution that the producers of |be Dominion, in conjunction with the Govern-

ment, take immediate steps to provide their own shipping was yesterday adopted by the Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union.

The subject was introduced by the chairman, Mr. J. Boddie, who mov?d the adoption of a remit that the producers take immediate steps to provide , their own shipping. The speaker said he had proposed a similar motion at a conference at Wellington, and it had received powerful support. There were two alternatives, one of which was to continue the present system- The producers had no more active or dangerous things to combat than the shipping "rings" of the world. To. continue as they were was to remain at the mercy of those " rings." Another counse was to induce the State to establish shipping lines, but he did not favour this. The obvious thing to do was for the producers |q combine and establish their own shipping lines. Their experience in other co-operative concerns emboldened him to say that the producers wera capable of doing anything they wanted to in the way of commercial undertakings. The Prime Minister had recently affirmed this, and stated tliat in. the producers' co-operative concerns in the Dominion there was ample ability to cope with any of the commercial concerns cf the world. At the beginning of the cooperative movement the producers wero met with all sorts of obstacles, but these had besn overcome. He was confident that the obstacles that confronted them in the establishment" of a shipping lino would also be- surmounted.

Major D. H. Lusk, who seconded the motion, emphasised the desirability of tVe farmers completing the chain of transport between the land and the markets of the world. He was averse to the Government having control of the shipping.

Mr. J. S. Montgomerie said he did not think it was logical that the Government should not be asked to establish shipping lines. The consumers had a right to be considered, and they could only be adequately protected by the State owning the ships. Much had been said, at the conference about the farmers co-operating with labour. He considered that.'here was an opportunity to achieve this cooperation by requesting the Government to establish a shipping line. He moved as an amendment that this be done. The amendment met with support from two or three speakers, who considered that the Interests of all 'sections of the community -would be best represented by the Government. ' Mr. A. E. Harding suggested that ti.e remit be altered to provide that the producers, in conjunction with the Govern--ment, should establish a line of shipping. This was . accepted by the chairman, who said that the Prime Minister bad previously stated that the Governmsnt would assist the producers to establish a shipping line either by guaranteeing of providing a portion of the required capital. . ..,,,, Captain F. Colbeck said he had always been in -favour of the producers owning their own rfhips. He thought a shipping board should be established with provision for Government representation. The only people who would oppose &« producers in acquiring their own ships would be those who' were making money ' out of them. He suggested that the. necessary capital could be obtained by t..e imposition of a tax of 1 per cent on exports. _ .. ' Adoption oi the Remit. M*. R. D- Duxfield said-ho! did not favour the establishment of a (shipping board representing divergent interests. The producers should act for themselves and keep free of Government influence. If everv province would follow- tue example "of the Poverty Bay people, and gradually acquire ships, the vancafanners' interests could be amalgamated it necessary. There was an excellent opportunity of the producers dpraonsfeatog their self-reliance, and they, should take advantage of it. , The chairman in Teply stated that the producers of the Dominion had made such great progress in promoting their own commercial concerns that the question of establishing a shipping line would mmediately be considered. The principle having been affirmed by the provincial conference, the matter would be considered by the Dominion conference. The Prime Minister was collecting information regarding shipping, and had undertaken to place*it before a conference representing all the interests concerned. The whole question would then be nlaced before the public. s Mr. Montgomerie'B amendment was lost, and the remit was adopted by a large majority.