PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 11

PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

HIGH PRODUCTION COSTS. TARIFF REDUCTION URGED. BASIS OF LABOUR AWARDS. [lt Y TET.ECP Al'H. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HA MILTON, Wednesday. A farmers' economic conference, organiser] by (lie Waikato Sub-Provincial Farmers' Union, was lipid at Hamilton to day. There were about 40 delegates present, representing local bodies and dairy factories in the district. Mr. W. Lee Martin, president of the Waikato Farmers' Union, presided. The following remit, dealing with protective customs tariff, was introduced by Mr. F. Collieck: —"Recognising the imperative need for reducing the costs of production, and the close bearing the present high protective customs tariff has to such costs, this conference urgently calls upon the, Government to immediately reduce customs taxation accordingly."

Mr. Col beck said one of the objects of the meeting was to see that every member of the community was fairly treated. The farmer was in an unfortunate position to-day. Farming did not pay, but, unlike the business man, the farmer could not- raise his prices. Political Action Favoured. It was found that in a new country I a protective tariff was necessary for a I secondary industry to give it a helping ; hand until it could support itself, colij eluded Mr. C'olbeck, but the "protscI tive" system had been in force in New ! Zealand for 50 years, and for every one I reduction there had been at least 20 : increases. Mr. 1!. I>. Duxlield considered there was an urgent need for action. The only way to bring about the desired object would be to move through political channels. Mr. S. Lye said some protection should be given in the case of certain young industries. Mr. A. N. Macky: The. tariffs should not he, dropped altogether, but should be gradually reduced. A suggestion that a committee, should jbe set up to place evidence before the Tariff C'onunission was made by Mr. Dynes Fulton. I Mr. 11. H. Sterling supported Mr. DuxI field's view. He considered that any request for the protection of an industry showed that the industry was uneconomical. The artificial protection of an industry caused industrial inefficiency. Protection through the customs led to political intrigue, and it was necessary for the farmers to be thoroughly organised in order to bring pressure to bear in that direction. Any industry which required a protective tariff should be required to show conclusively that the step would bo of benefit to the community generally. The remit was carried. A remit that greater preference should be extended to Great Britain by way of gradually abolishing the customs taxation on British imports was also approved. Arbitration Court System. | A remit that primary producers should be allowed to state evidence before the Arbitration Court during the hearing of any disputes having a close bearing upon primary industries was introduced by Mr. Sterling. Mr R. li. Fiesst saitl the Farmers' Union had no standing as far as the Arbitration Court was concerned, and during the recent freezing works dispute its evidence was permissible only by a ' special order of the Court. Mr. Duxfield supported the remit. The farmers, he said, had formerly had nothing to do with the Court, but it was later found that they were affected by many of its decisions. The remit was passed unanimously. Considerable discussion arose over a remit "that the basing of arbitration I awards inainlv upon the cost of living is grossly uneconomic, and that the Government should be strongly urged to adopt piecework within the awards wherever possible. That where the cost of living basis was necessary it should be a'cording to the requirements of a single man, plus an allowance for dependants to be paid from a fund derived from employers by payments per head on all employees coming under arbitration awards." The remit was approved with the exception of the portion relating to basing the cost of living upon the requirements of a single man. The following remits from the Tauranga County Council were approved:—"That considering the present basis of levies for hospital expenditure is unjust, the conference supports the representations of the Counties' Association to the Government for a more equitable basis." "That a petrol tax be introduced to relieve the burden on the farming community as far as possible." It was decided to forward the remits to the House of Representatives, to Cabinet. Ministers, and Leaders of the Parliamentary parties, and to the Dominion executive of the Farmers' Union.