FARMERS’ UNION PLATFORM

Southland Times, Issue 24180, 17 July 1940, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION PLATFORM

Increased Primary Production PROPER DIRECTION OF MAN-POWER (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. The aims, objects and platform of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union for the duration of the war were decided on at the annual Dominion conference today. The main plank is more and better production of primary produce. A suggestion that the internal war expenditure be met partly by the Reserve Bank being directed to place such sums as were required to the Government account, and that such sums not bear interest or be repayable, was rejected by a majority vote. The following was decided on as the war policy of the union:—“More and better production of the primary produce so vitally necessary to the people and the fighting forces of the Empire; the application of the economic principle of recovery in full of the producers’ costs of production; to secure public recognition of the necessity for the proper direction of man-power, after the fighting services are supplied, towards the ends set out above; that all internal war expenditure be met by (a) taxation and (b) borrowing the genuine savings of the people; reduction of Government expenditure not related to the war effort.”

When the remit was originally moved it contained a clause relating to the Reserve Bank and also a clause urging the installation of an independent tribunal in which the farming industry had confidence to assist the cost of production of any particular commodity. This clause was also rejected. ADOPTION OF REMITS PREVENTION OF SUBVERSIVE PROPAGANDA URGED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. A remit from the Otago Provincial Executive demanding that the Government take drastic steps immediately to stop all subversive propaganda and where Government employees had been guilty to dismiss them from their positions without superannuation was carried at the annual Dominion Conference of the Farmers’ Union tonight. The remit added that naturalized subjects who had been disloyal should have their naturalization papers cancelled without delay and that they should be relieved of their public positions where such were held.

A suggestion that the farming community desired to obtain higher prices from Great Britain for primary produce in order that the farmers would be freed from their share in the sacrifices which the war must entail was denied at the conference when a remit to this effect, submitted by Mid-Canterbury, was carried. “We believe,” the remit said, “that in view of the heavy financial burden which the war has imposed on the people of Great Britain, it would be as unfair as it is unwise for New Zealand to press for higher prices, but we would point out tjiat this attitude requires that other sections are prepared to adopt a similar attitude and to work harded for a smaller net return. If I further added internal costs were to be | loaded against the farmers then they would be forced, in the interest of production, to press for increased prices in New Zealand currency for their products.” The remit was carried. That to enable a full contribution to be given to the Dominion’s war effort and to enable production for war purposes to be increased, the Government be urged to modify all awards relating to hours of work and rates of overtime pay during the war was the text of a remit from Mid-Canterbury.

ACCEPTANCE OF SEAT ON WAR COUNCIL MR MULHOLLAND EXPLAINS HIS REASONS (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 16. The reason why he consented to become a member of the National War Council while still holding the view that the formation of a War Cabinet in New Zealand was absolutely necessary, was given by the president of the Farmers’ Union, Mi- W. W. Mulholland, of Canterbury, at the annual Dominion conference tonight. Mr Mulholland said that all the members of the union knew he had strongly ! advocated the formation of a National | Government. He had contended also i thaflfthe War Council was in no sense a | satisfactory substitute for a War Cab- ; inet. “I contended,” he said, “and I j still believe that we can have only one I Government.” i When invited to take a seat on the War Council his mind was very uncertain as to what action he should I take because of the opinions he held, said Mr Mulholland. That night, however, news was received of the French surrender and he changed his mind and offered his services to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). Mr Mulholland added that he was assured by the Prime Minister that the formation of a national War Council would in no way jeojardize the forming of a War Cabinet. “I accepted this seat on the War Council, but it has not changed my views about the necessity of a War Cabinet,” he said. I Mr C. O. Dickie (South Taranaki), said the union should feel pleased that Mr Mulholland was a member of the War Council, particularly because of the many problems ahead. If they I were going to avoid the chaotic conditions that existed after the last war they would need a body of strong 1 men to watch the position.