STATE CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22466, 9 July 1936, Page 14

STATE CONTROL

FARMERS' OPPOSITION RESOLUTIONS AT CONFERENCE COMPENSATORY PRICE WANTED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON. Wednesday Strong opposition to the principle of complete State control of tho primary products of New Zealand was expressed by an overwhelming majority at tho annual Dominion conference of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union to-day. However, it was generally recognised that the position had to bo faced, at least in so far ns dairy products aro concerned, and in view of that it was decided to ask for tho payment of a compensatory price to farmers, so adjusted as to restore their equities, enable them to carry out their contracts and generally bring their prices into fair relationship with internal costs. As a basis for discussion, a Nelson remit protesting against the proposals of the Government, to take complete State control of dairy or other produce, as tho aim of the Farmers' Union was co-operative control of farm produce, was taken first. A motion in this form was carried, only four voting against it. With only three dissentient voices, the conference decided to ask that before action by tho Government to take control of any primary industry a referendum should be taken to ascertain the opinion of the producers so affected arid that the producers' representatives should be consulted in framing the terms of the referendum. Following further protracted discussion the conference carried by an overwhelming majority the following resolution: "While not endorsing the principles of State control of any primary industry for any purpose this union stands by the attitude taken up by the Dominion executive in its representations to the Cabinet in February last demanding payment of compensating prices to farmers, so adjusted as to restore their equities, enable them to carry out their contracts and generally bring their prices into fair relationship with internal costs, with due provision for a rise or fall in accordance with variations in those costs." It was decided to preface the motion with the following: "We wish to make it clear that in advancing our claim wo seek no sectional advantage. We ask merely for that social justice of being able to exchange the valuo of our produce in goods as expressed in terms of New Zealand money. This principle is set out by the Prime Minister is his statement made in Parliament in April, when he said, 'When a man or woman produces a thing that has a certain exchange value, he or she should get the whole of that value and not merely part of it.' "