AID FOR FARMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 15

AID FOR FARMERS

RECENT LEGISLATION GOVERNMENT CRITICISED L ADDRESS BY MR. SAVAGE Criticism of the Government's policy and of recent legislation as it affects farmers was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, in an address to electors at Maungaturoto last night. Mr. Savage contended that the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act established a virtual dictatorship in the primary industries. It empowered the Governor-General-in-Couneil to transfer to the Executive Commission of Agriculture any powers conferred by statute or otherwise on the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, Dairy Control Board/ Frijit Export Control Board, any local control board provided for under the Fruit Control Act, 1924, Honey Control Board, and the Poultry Board. The effect of the Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand Act was to destroy financial contracts entered into between the State and its clients, and to hand over to the corporation, a semi-privately controlled body, the securities upon which those contracts were based. "The Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act provides no immediate relief for farmers in difficulties," continued Mr. Savage. During the fiveyear -period those farmers seeking relief would be subjected to budgetary control -of a type similar to the inquisitorial methods of the Unemployment Board in dealing with relief work-

The Leader of the Opposition said that while farmers were subject to rapidly-changing external conditions and prices, due to exploitation of cheap labour and market rigging, there could be no security for them, or for any other section of the community. The farmers' difficulties could be solved only by a readjustment of mortgages, the payment of guaranteed prices, and State control of the monetary Bystem, with the establishment of the principle of currency based on goods and services which were exchanged. Mr. Savage also advocated a universal system of superannuation, a national health service based upon universal insurance, reform of the system of unemployment relief, and the adjustment of overseas debts in accord with ruling monetary and trade conditions.