PRIMARY PRODUCERS

Southland Times, Issue 20834, 24 July 1929, Page 6

PRIMARY PRODUCERS

BOARD’OF REFERENCE SUGGESTED.

CONSULTATIONS WITH GOVERN-

(Per United Press Association.)

Wellington, July 23.

At the Farmers’ Union Conference today Mr J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, made a suggestion that a great deal of valuable help could be given to the Government if a board of reference were set up from the ranks of primary producers to which the .Government could refer matters of importance to primary production, matters of legislation and administration. He considered such a board would be a step in the right direction. It would be a pity if, on account of political beliefs, the interests of primary producers should be made the chopping block of political 1 enterprise. There were many matters for consideration, finance, etc., and he was of the opinion that there were men and -women quite capable of arriving at the best course in many problems that cropped up. “If we can in some way get right down to it,” he said, “I am sure that the Hon. G. W. Forbes and his Government would be pleased to have that sound advice which could at all times be at the disposal of Parliament, in order that one should have some unanimity in questions that are paramount so far as the future of the country is concerned. It is a national question. We must give primary producers the benefit of the very best legislation that it is possible to conceive.” The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Industries and Commerce, referred to the fact that manufacturers had suggested the setting up of an Industries Development Board, and said that if such a board were set up he believed that farming industries would be represented on it.