EMPIRE FARMERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19453, 12 October 1937, Page 7

EMPIRE FARMERS

COMMON POLICY NEXT YEAR’S CONFERENCE NEEDS OF PRODUCERS SYDNEY, Sept. 13. Important developments have recently taken place in the organisation of the Empire Producers’ Conference, to be held in Sydney next March during the 150th anniversary celebrations. Mr. M. P. Dunlop, M.L.C., chairman of the organising committee, and general president of the Primary Producers’ Union, said last night that it was proposed to examine the marketing policies and internal problems of each unit separately in order to give delegates a clear conspectus of the

entire position, before consideration was given to the drafting of a common policy applicable to the whole of the Empire. The conference lias been officially endorsed by the leading farming organisations in Great Britain and the Dominions, and already some of them have appointed strong bodies of delegates to represent them. Indications point to the probability of the conference being the most representative gathering of primary producers ever iield in the Empire. Lord Bledisloe, a former GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, Major Sir Reginald Dorman Smith, M.P., and other leading agriculturists in Great Britain, have expressed cordial support of the main plank in the conference agenda—the formation of a liaison committee to protect the interests of Empire farmers in the markets of the United Kingdom. Lord Bledisloe is firm in his advocacy of the establishment of a consultative body fully representative of primary producers in every part of the Empire. Major Sir Reginald Dorman Smith, president of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales, who has

been selected as leader of the party of delegates to represent that body at the conference, supports Lord Eledisloe’s contention, which has already received wide endorsement in Australia and the sister Dominions. Consultative Committee Referring to this matter last night, Mr. Dunlop said that the formation of a consultative or liaison committee was the chief purpose of the conference. ‘‘lt was felt,” he said, “that the position had become so active in the oversea marketing situation that to delay any longer in assembling the representatives of the primary producers of the Empire was fraught with danger. It is essential that there should be a clear understanding of our common aim in the marketing arena. Once that position is established ii should not be difficult to create a central body to give expression to the demand of the farmers of the United Kingdom and the Dominions for equitable treatment in the markets of the Empire. “There is one point I wish to emphasise strongly,” Mr. Dunlop continued, “and that is that the conference seeks to link the farmers of the Empire

in harmony and concord. In some quarters the fear lias been expressed that the interests of the different units of the Empire may prove to be antagonistic. But 1 am sure such fear is groundless. Whatever differences there mav be are born of competition due to our un-coordinated marketing system. "We all recognise that there are difficulties in the path, but as these have grown out of disorganisation aim lack of Empire co-operation, their removal should not present serious difficulty. Until they are removed nothing material can be accomplished. It is with this knowledge clearly in view that the conference has been organised on an Empire, and not a sectional, basis. There can be no domination ol the conference by any particular body of delegates. Each country will have an equal voice. "Judging by the interest that mis already been shown in the conference,” Mr. Dunlop added, “I think 1 am sate in saying that it promises to be the most important gathering of farmers evTr held in the Empire.”

CHILD SOLD FOR DOLLAR BILL OF SALE PRODUCED FOSTER .PARENTS’ CLAIM A bill of sale figured in a strange story concerning a two-months-old girl who is now in the care of the police. Her foster parents, named Lizak, produced a document reading: Know ye, all men. that Thomas and Stella Lizak hereby agree to take this baby girl and raise it and support it as their very own. Under no circumstaiic" will they cause trouble to 'its mother.” The real mother, it is alleged, gave the baby to a couple, w'ho sold the child to the Lizaks for one dollar.