FARMING LEGISLATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18632, 16 February 1935, Page 14

FARMING LEGISLATION

FINANCE DIFFICULTY STOCK TMPROVEMENT SHEEP-OWNERS' REPORT The report of the president, Mr. C. H. Williams, to be submitted to tbe annual meeting of the Poverty Bay and Fast Const Sheepowners’ “liion on March 2 deals at lengih with pending '""islntinu, and states that the trend of events indicates tbe imperative need -> maintrininn the organisatioii to protect members against undue or unnecessary interference with their business. The report states : LEGISLATION "aneep and Wool Improvement Scheme. —Tins measure came before the stock (Jbmmittee of the House in tbe form of an amendment to tlie Scientific and Industrial Research Act and was turned down. The bill was opposed by all -raiklies of the .federation with the exception of Poverty Bay. The favorable remit from this branch to the annual meeting of the federation council was defeated, and a resolution oppos.„jr ;ne i.l without qualification was carried with only Poverty Bay delegates dissenting. The iormation of anything in the nature, of a sheep and wool organisation is for the time being shelved. Piio future may show whether we have been right or wrong in our views regarding! this matter. “Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Bill.—This bill became law last session. In its original form it appeared to confer a dangerous degree of power upon the new hoard of three, giving them the right to dictate upon any phase of production or marketing Of any commodity. Though, in practice, no doubt, drastic action would never be taken without preliminary consultation <vith those, concerned, our executive thought is wise to press for modification of these unlimited powers in the text of the bill. The Minister in charge of the hill, Mr. Macmillan, finally consented to the insertion of the necessary clauses to this end. The bill was the outcome 'of the report of a certain commission set up to consider measures for the relief of the dairy industry, and yet the 4 legislation was made to embrace the sheep and 1 wool industry also without any opportunity being given to sheepfarmers to criticise its provisions. This fact shows the imperative necessity .of maintaining our organisation as. a pro( faction against undue or unnecessary hiterference with our business.

“Mortgage "Corporation, a bill dealing with relations between mortgagor and mortgagee. —The proposals and structure •'f the corporation have been published by the Minister of Finance, and legiisIntion a lon a the lines indicated should do something to relieve the difficult dion pertaining to rural finance. The. bill will he scrutinised bv our exe-

Ve with the customary care and ‘- lance, and every assistance -will be given to the Government to produce a ■'cupficial measure.

“Stock Improvement Act..—-This hill is likely to come before Parliament in the present session. The bill deals solely with the question of male breeding stock—sheep, cattle, horses and pigs. Urilimlted*powers are conferred upon various breed societies and the Government and no voice is given to farmers themselves. In my opinion the bill is drincerons in the extreme and is not what the industry requires; its passage into law would effectively prevent progress along the lines desired by sheepowners in this district. We may hone and expect that it will he vigorously opposed by all branches of the federation. HOSPITAL RATE. “Hospital Finance.—At the present time there is a general desire to find means of relieving the financial diili : culties of the man on the land. No oetter method could be devised than relieving him of the. intolerable burden of the hospital rate, an impost for which there is no shadow of justification. A direct rate levy of nearly £300,000 is laid upon the farming lands and thousands of farmers are forced to pay it out of capital. Every principle of fair taxation is contradicted in this grossly inequitable system, the only possible pretext being the ease and economy of collection. The difficulty of bringing about any reform is enormous since the sufferers are a minority of the popula.iin, but there is no reason for farmers to continue indefinitely to accept the position without protest. Alternative methods of financing the hospital deficit in an equitable manner can be suggested at the proper time, “Railway Committee.—“l have represented the federation on the local committee and have done my utmost to stress the views of the sheepfarmers. We have had no'success with Government or Railway Board, but it is not impossible that something may be done with private capital. There 15 at present nothing to report.”