FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 24181, 18 July 1940, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE

REMITS COVER WIDE RANGE NECESSITY OF INCREASED PRODUCTION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. After a two-day sitting the thirtyninth annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union ended, in Wellington this evening. About 80 delegates were in attendance and a wide range of remits was discussed. The majority of the remits dealt with had a bearing on the Dominion’s war effort and the main theme of the conference was the necessity of increased production. Some of the remits carried were:— That the drainage and protection of abandoned lands, together with land already in production, should receive precedence over land development schemes (South Canterbury). That the Government be asked to give further consideration to the rural housing scheme for providing accommodation for married farm workers to enable farmers to increase production, pointing out that under the present conditions the county councils are not able to give the assistance required (Southland). That this conference supports the request of fine wool producers for special consideration with regard to the distribution of any surplus available to woolgrowers over 5 per cent, reduction (Otago). That the Government be asked to announce the guaranteed price to be paid for butter and cheese before July 20 because of increasing costs (North Taranaki). That the income tax for farmers should be based on the average for a period of three years, instead of a yearly basis (Nelson). That because of the increased price of petrol it is urged that farmers using registered trucks for cartage of milk and general farm work should receive a rebate, which is granted for tractors or unregistered trucks doing similar farm work (South Taranaki). That for access purposes unregistered trucks and tractors be allowed to use the roads along the farmer’s boundary (Golden Bay). That in the interests of greater production and because of the fact that the farmers are at present doubly taxed farmers’ lorries carrying their own produce should be totally exempt from the heavy traffic fees (Southland). That the Government be called on to pay all rates and overdue rates on Crown properties, and also on properties being farmed by the Crown, including native land and properties let from month to month by the Crown (North Taranaki). Seeing that all hospital charges are now covered by the Social Security tax the hospital and charitable aid rates should be abolished (Southland)