FARMERS’ UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10957, 20 July 1921, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

MANAWATU SUB-BRANCH.

OH AIRMAN’S COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME.

The monthly meeting of the Manawatu sub-provincial branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in Palmerston North. Mr Buchanan occupied the cihair. The chairman pressed for the inclusion of the following point* in the union policy:—(1) Support for the protection of our sea-borne trade; (2) a reduction of shipping freights; and (3) reduced expenditure on liquor. The speaker also urged the necessity for better organisation of our public services, which could no longer be maintained at their present cost. Referring to taxation, he urged a reduction through the more efficient administration of public enterprises. He also urged the abolition of to unionists, which tended to the limitation of output; free markets for the Accessaries of life; reduced charges at freezing works; a vigorous policy of finding fresh markets for our produce; the abolition of the Board of Trade; the abolition of the arbitrary stabilisation of wages, and the taking advantage of tho terms offered by their insurance scheme; a reduction in public expenditure by pressing the Government to retrench in all honourable and practical ways. Again referring to unionism,, Mr Buchanan remarked that preference, checked healthy- competition, encouraged striking and “go-slow,” and raised the cost of living. It would pay all to combine and do away with the preference to unionists. In conclusion, the chairman appealed to members to reorganise and infusfe fresh life into the work of the union. SYSTEM OF CONTROL. A remit from YVaikanae: “That the sub-provincial executive be abolished, and that the union revert to the old system of control by a provincial executive,” was supported by Mr~Fraeer. Mr McLeavey said they certainly had ono body too many, although he was not prepared to say which one was superfluous. It was deoided to postpone discussion until delegates have an opportunity of obtaining the views of their branches, and the remit waa withdrawn in the meantime.