RISING COSTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23203, 29 May 1937, Page 14

RISING COSTS

FARMERS CONCERNED MR MULHOLLAND'S VIEWS ON TOUR (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 28. A short tour of the Wellington province has just been completed by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union Mr W. W. Mulholland, of Darfield. He attended an interprovincial conference of the Farmers' Union. at Dannevirke on Thursday, and the same evening he was present at a Farmers' Union meeting at Levin. Mr Mulholland. who left Wellington for the south to-night, will attend various conferences and meetings of the Farmers' Unions in the South Island during the coming fortnight, his itinerary including visits to the Marlborough, Nelson, Westland. Otago. and Southland districts.

Summing up the of his tour. Mr Mulholland said he was very much impressed with the very great interest being taken by farmers in the economic affairs of the country and by the tremendous^ growth of enthusiasm in the work of the Farmers' Union itself. The Dannevirke Conference, he said, was attended by nearly 100 delegates, many of whom were voung men. All were keen, both in their criticism and in the proposals advanced for the benefit of the farmers and Ihe country generallv. While there was a feeling of optimism to a certain degree, Mr Mulholland said, a definite uneasiness at the way costs were rising against the farmers was very noticeable. Although it seemed to be agreed that these costs could be met on the present tide of high prices, it was generally acknowledged that these prices could not continue indefinitely.

Concern was expressed. Mr Mulholland said, that costs were taking such a large proportion of the present returns, and under these circumstances the rebuilding of a farmer' 1 - position and the establishment of reserves against reaction was considered impossible. When that reaction eventuated, how would the farmer be able to meet the necessity for reduced expenditure? There had also been a splendid attendance at the Levin meeting, where the same concern was expressed regarding rising costs.