FARMING COSTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20317, 27 January 1928, Page 2

FARMING COSTS.

THE NATIONAL INQUIRY, EARLY MEETING OF COMMITTEE, The Minister of Labour expects within a few days to announce the preliminaries of a movement which may develop into a very thorough investigation of the economic position of New Zealand farmers (says the Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times). The question first came into prominence through the efforts of the Government no pass an amendment of the Arbitration Act exempting farming and allied ocupations from any of the restrictions of awards of the Arbitration Court. The origma. measure met with such a generally critical reception last session that the Laboai Bills Committee cut out two-thirds of its provisions. There was further opposi (ion, and the Government ultimately deleted the remaining part of the Bill, sub stituting a clause which has the effect of suspending any further alterations in awards relating to the farming industry or the creation of new awards until late this year, the object being to give time for a general investigation of the whole question. It became recognised by all parties in this controversy that much more was involved in the difficulties of the farmer than labour conditions, and the Prime Minister undertook to have the matter investigated on comprehensive lines during the recess. He named as a committee to prepare preliminaries of the inquiry; Messrs Waite (Clutha), Nash (Efllmerston), Sir John Luke (Wellington), and the Prime Minister (representing the Gov ment), Messrs P. Fraser (Wellington), Savage (Auckland West), deputy-leader of the Labour Party, G. W. Forbes (Nationalist leader)’ and Ransom (Pahiatua). This committee will be called together at an early date, and will discuss plans for organising the investigation of many factors involved in farming costs. The intention of the Government is to make this investigation as wide as possible in the way of .securing the best information and opinions bearing on the subject. Probably the whole recess will be equired before conclusions are reached which will assist the Government to legislate when Parliament meets.