FARMERS’ NEEDS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3843, 7 December 1936, Page 5

FARMERS’ NEEDS

DISCUSSION WITH MINISTER OF LABOUR. DECISIONS AT CAMBRIDGE MEETING. There was an attendance of about 306, principally farmers, at a meeting in Cambridge last Friday evening, called by the Farmers’ Union to meet the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, Minister of Labour, in the course of his visit to South Auckland districts. With Mr Armstrong were Mr R. Coulter, M.P. tor Waikato, and Mr H. Moston, chief inspector of the Labour Department. Unfortunately Mi’ Armstrong had to leave the meeting early to catch the Main Trunk express to Wellington, being recalled for an important Cabinet meeting. The Minister was invited to answer a series of 21 questions, principally relative' to new legislation affecting the nrimary, and particularly the dairying industry, most of which had been dealt with by Mr Armstrong in his recent tour of the Waikato. The Minister had hardly time to answer half the questionnaire, before he had to leave, but he gave the meeting an assurance that he would give a written reply to the balance. The Minister, good naturedly submitted to many interjections and mild criticisms of the Government and twitted his critics in happy vein. RESOLUTION CARRIED. It was subsequently agreed to forward to the Government me I oilowing resolutions, which were all carried unanimously:— “An undertaking be requested from the Government that should there be a surplus in the Dairy Industry Account at the conclusion ot this year, such will be distributed to the producers.” “That this meeting of farmers emphatically protests against the system of pooling butter boxes to be administered by the Dairy Board, and demands the right to purchase butter containers as in the past. Further, that as butter boxes made from New Zealand timber can be purchased in Australia at prices substantially lower than those now being charged in NewZealand, we consider the present position is exploitation of the dairy industry, and we demand that all regulations and restrictions against the importation of butter boxes or cheese crates be removed immediately. EVENING MILKING. “That dairy farmers, generally, find it impossible to relieve their milkers from an evening milking per week and the fact that time given off between milkings cannot be deducted from the annual holidays for milkers, is a likely source of friction between the farmers and his employees, and is likely to lead to a reduction of the amenities granted to milkers. "The Executive Commission of Agriculture is at present in the Waikato trying to arrange amalgamation of dairy companies. Is it the intention of the Dairy Board eventually to take over and control the marketingof dairy products? “Can you inform this meeting whether the Industries Efficiency Bill means the regimentation of the dairy industry, and that the dairy farmers will be under the dictation of the Government in the manufacture of their products; also the rearing and fattening of calves and pigs?” Speaking to a resolution, Mr R. Coulter, M.P., said there was not going to be regimentation of a dairy or any other industry. In some industries, such as fishing, there would be some measure of control, for the ultimate protection of them. He pointed out that the previous Government had similar power. Referring to the cost of butter boxes, Mr Coulter said he understood the Minister of Agriculture would be making a statement on Monday.