FARMERS' COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22647, 8 February 1937, Page 5

FARMERS' COSTS

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT THE FREEZING WORKS TROUBLE [BY TELEGRAPH OWJ* CORRESPONDENT] OPOTIKI, Saturday The recent freezing works dispute was discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Bay of Plenty Sub-provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union, held at Opotiki. It was decided to protest against the action of the Government in over-riding the Arbitration Court award in connection with the freezing works, thereby increasing the farmers' cost, as the additional wages have been passed on to the producers. The following remit was also passed in connection with the strike: —"That while realising that the workers may have had a just cause, we feel that the Government is failing in its duty in not penalising the workers for their methods of obtaining redress, thereby causing a most dangerous precedent." The meeting also decided to call the attention of the Government to the increasing costs which the primary industries are being called upon to bear with no opportunity of passing on. The meeting was emphatic in its submission that a substantial addition to tlw guaranteed price for the current season was essential if the farmers' standard of living was not to be further reduced and the productive capacity of the farms jeopardised. A long discussion followed on tlio introduction of the question of farm workers' holidays. A motion expressing the opinion that a farm labourers' union would be to the advantage of the industry as a means of solving the f«Qrm labour shortage, and requesting that the Farmers' Union take the necessary steps to form such a union, was defeated on the voices.

The meeting decided to protest against the proposed charges for motorcar inspection.

The zoning of dairy factory districts was discussed. A motion was carried unanimously calling upon the Minister of Agriculture to keep his promise that where possible when dairying districts are zoned an opportunity to supply 0110 of two alternative companies shall be afforded all suppliers.