FARMERS' PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 9

FARMERS' PROBLEMS

CONFERENCE OPENED SUGGESTED REMEDIES FREE TRADE WITH BRITAIN Matters of vital concern to the farming industry -were discussed by delegates at the 34th Auckland provincial conference of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, which commenced at Hotel Auckland yesterday. About 100 delegates were present. Tho sittings, which will bo continued until Friday, were opened by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who said that of the 141 remits to be considered by the conference, no fewer than 104 referred to tho relation of tho State to primary industry. No reference seemed to have been made to tho exchange question, a matter of vital importance to the primary producer. "We people in the city who have to pay for tho exchange could boar our burden more cheerfully if tho conference had expressed appreciation of tho Government's assistance to tho farmer in this respect," said Mr. Hutchison, amid laughter. A comprehensive survey of the difficulties faced by tho farming community was given by Mr. H. 0. Mellsop,- in his presidential address: "Tlio position of the dairy farmer at present is desperate," he said, "and we can view the state of the industry only with great alarm." Tho union had kept in touch with j opinion overseas and retained the view j that freo trade was within reach. If tho i Dominion made representations in that 1 direction, tho mass of British opinion | would insist on acceptance. In spite of | a refusal by the British Government ! to consider further a quota on Do- J minion produce, the matter was still j being discussed in political circles. Dealing with tho effect of a quota i by Britain on New Zealand dairy pro- - duce, Mr. Mellsop said increased supplies of Dominion butter had displaced j from the market an equal amount of ; margarine. Tho consumption of butter per head in Britain had increased by i 81b. j with a, corresponding decrease in j the consumption of margarine. That i gain could be maintained only by a gradual riso in • prices commensurate with inoreased purchasing power. "To sum up the position," said Mr. Mellsop, "we are fighting to-day for the unrestricted entry of our produce j into Britain in return for a lowering, and finally tho abolition, of protective tariffs on British goods." A bold policy was. needed to tackle the question of making costs and prices equate, either by tho total derating of farm lands, tho abolition of tariffs on British gQods, the lowering of interest to the truo worth of money, the total adjustment of mortgages, or by artificially raising prices up to the level of the present artificially raised costs. "The derating of farm lands,, as a much-needed relief to the farmer, has been advocated strongly by your, executive," said Mr.. Mellsop.' The user should pay for the roads. It was fair to levy a rate on fkrm dwellings, but not on land and farm buildings. If tho present petrol tax wore devoted for roading maintenance, this, with the rates on dwellings, would provide sufficient revenue. He quoted figures to support' his argument. The union executive had been a very strong advocate of §ome form of monetary revision, and had urged that tho control : of means of exchange be invested in a New. • Zealand authority, controlled for the benefit of tho nation as a whole and not for the benefit of shareholders' capital. . Complete selfgovernment in finance was essential. The president's report was adopted with acclamation.

IMPORTATION OP STOCK SUPPORT FOR EMBARGO Msny remits relating to the farming industry were considered at yesterday's sitting of the Auckland provincial conference of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union. A remit was received from the Bay of Islands branch that the embargo against direct importation of animals from tho United Kingdom and other oountries subject to foot and mouth disease should, be strictly maintained. A statement that propaganda had been spread throughout the Dominion to secure the removal of the embargo was made by the president, Mr. H. 0. Mellsop. "Our whole life is built on agriculture and we cannot take any chances," he said. Other members endorsed Mr. Mellsop's view, and the remit was adopted. The following were included among the remits adopted:—That representations be made to the Government to increase tho number of Crown tenants' elected representatives on all land boards, with direct representation allotted to farmers settled under the returned soldiers' scheme; that a Stock Food Act promised by the Government for many years should be enacted forthwith.

Considerable discussion took place on monetary questions, the following remits being adopted:—That this conference considers that, under tho present monetary system whereby the purchasing power can only bo made available as debt, economic stability and prosperity are impossible, and that prosperity can only be attained and advantage taken of the actual and potential abundance by all if money is made subsidiary to goods and issued in distinct ratio to the goods produced as a costless medium of exchange; that the creation and destruction of tho people's credit should not be left to private monopolies, but should be directed by the people's elected officers for the wellbeing of the people rather than that of the financial system. CONFERENCE IN TARANAKI SEVERAL REMITS CARRIED [by telegraph—press association] HAWERA, Tuesday A proposal that all dairy produce for home consumption should bo subject to Government grading on tho samo lines as produce sent overseas was almost unanimously adopted at the annual conference of tho South Taranaki Farmers' Union to-day. A further remit that all premises from which milk or cream for the manufacture of dairy produce is supplied should be registered in tho same manner as thoso for a town supply was overwhelmingly defeated. Support was given to a remit to tho effect that tho Minister of Agriculture bo urged to increase tho number of the officers of the live stock division, the curtailment of such services at the present time being regarded as false economy. It was also decided to ask the Minister to instruct officers to be in attendance at all stock sales. . A remit that all meat sold for consumption should be "subject to inspection qnd stamped accordingly was lost. Several delegates expressed the opinion that' if tho department adopted the suggestion, farmors themselves would bo the persons 'most affected, and would not be ahlo to sell meat to neighbours unless an inspection was made. ' •. A remit, that regulations bo gazetted setting a dofmito standard quality for pollard and meat and bono meals was adopted. A suggestion that the Government be urged to introduce a bill to conduct*a State lottery was lost by tho narrow margin of two votes.