DAIRYING COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1934, Page 9

DAIRYING COMMISSION

MR. WILKINSON SUPPORTED. DIVERSE VIEWS AT ELTHAM. Support for Mr. Wilkinson’s suggestion regarding an inquiry into farm finance was given by the Eltham Progress Committee on Friday night and it was de-, cided to telegraph the Prime Minister requesting that the order of reference of the Royal Commission on the dairy industry include a report on farm finance with particular reference to land and stock mortgages. In speaking to his .motion Mr.. W. Ricketts said Mr. Wilkinson should be supported in his commendable efforts to solve the problems of the dairy industry. His suggestion was undoubtedly on the right lines and every public body in Taranaki should take the matter up.

Mr. F. Gawith said he was opposed to Mr. Wilkinson’s proposals and they could not accomplish any good. It was a political matter and did not come within the purpose of the committee. Mr. Packard considered that by refusing to consider the question of farm mortgages the Government was only staving off the evil day. “Until the price of land is reduced to a figure commensurate with the value of farm produce there will never be stability,” said Mr. C. N. Taplin. Mr. Gawith: A rise in butterfat prices will settle the whole question. Mr. Taplin: When will it come? We have been waiting for years now. Mr. Gawith: It will come all right. If Mr. Wilkinson’s scheme were given effect the farming community would be reduced to a state of serfdom. The proposals are economically unsound, and if left alone things will right themselves. Mr. Bridger pointed out the difficulty of stabilising values and said that once prices rose land would immediately rise in sympathy. He feared Mr. Wilkinson’s proposals involved an act of repudiation. Mr. Gawith: What we want to-day is confidence. Mr. Ricketts: That will get us nowhere with the problem we are up against. PRESENT REFERENCE SUFFICIENT. FURTHER REPLY FROM MR. FORBES. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., has received a further telegram from the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) relative to his suggestions upon the scope of the dairy commission. Mr. Forbes expresses the opinion that the order of reference is sufficiently wide to cover the point raised by Mr. Wilkinson. Mr. Wilkinson has forwarded another telegram conveying his regret at this decision. He added that he felt certain that the aspect of the case he had raised would not receive the attention it deserved under the order of reference as outlined, which in his opinion did not in any way indicate that the matter would be inquired into and answers given by the Royal Commission.’