FACING HIGHER COSTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19337, 29 May 1937, Page 7

FACING HIGHER COSTS

DOUBTS OF RETURNS CONCERN AMONG FARMERS RESERVE MARGIN NEEDED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A short tour of the Wellington pro vince has just been completed by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers' L'nion, Mr. W. W. Mulholhind, of Darfield.He attended the interprovincial conference of the limners L'nion at Dannevirke on Thursday and the same evening was present at a farmers' L'nion meeting at Levin. Mr. Mrdholland, who, left Wellington for the south to-night, will attend various conferences and meetings of the Fanners' l'nion in the South Island during the coming fortnight, his itinerary including visits to thv Marlborough, Nelson. Westland, Otago and Southland districts.

Summing up his impressions of his tour, Mr. Mulliolland said that he was very much impressed with the very great interest being taken by fanners in the economic alt airs of the country and by the tremendous growth of enthusiasm in the work of the -armors l'nion itself. The Dannevirke conference was attended by nearly 100 delegates, many of whom were young men.

All were keen, both in their criticism and in the proposals advanced for the benefit of farmers and the country generally. While there was a feeling of optimism to a certain degree, said .Mr. Mulliolland, definite uneasiness at the way costs were rising against the fanners 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 the prices could not continue indefinitely. Concern was expressed that costs were taking such a large proportion ol the present returns, and under these circa instances the rebuilding of the farmer's position and the establishment of reserves against the reaction was considered impossible. It was asked 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.