AGRICULTURE BILL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19943, 30 October 1934, Page 5

AGRICULTURE BILL

REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTERS FIRM STAND TAKEN By Telegrapd —Press Association WELLINGTON, October 29. It was made clear to a deputation which waited upon the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes), the Minister of Finance (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) and the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. C. E. Macmillan) to-day that the Government proposes to pass the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Bill substantially in its present form, but an assurance of the Government’s intention of consulting the dairy industry on certain issues was given. The deputation represented the South Auckland Dairy Company and allied interests, and was introduced by the Minister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young) in his capacity of Member for Hamilton. The conference, which lasted two hours, was conducted in private. The exchange of opinions was very frank and to quote one member, the meeting served a good purpose in clearing the air. The plan for the establishment of an Executive Commission of Agriculture and the reconstitution of the Dairy Board will be proceeded with. The delegation of authority to various authorities will be brought about oy Order-in-Council, and the Government informed the deputation that it would be glad to receive representations on behalf of the industry when delegating these authorities, and to secure the co-operation of the industry in the smooth working of the reconstruction proposals. In the meantime, the Dairy Board proposes to hold conferences in each of the nine wards, beginning with a meeting in Dunedin on November 14. Subsequently the delegates appointed at these meetings will confer with members of the Dairy Board in Wellington on December 13. By that method it is hoped to secure a thoroughly representative expression of the industry’s opinions on the legislation, and these will be conveyed to the Government. The representations will be considered by Parliament during the recess, and if necessary, amendments to the legislation now before the House will be made when Parliament resumes in February. MEASURE APPRECIATED Telegraph P'<»s« 'V«r>riaMnn DUNEDIN, October 29. At the annual meeting of the Cooperative Dairy Company the following resolution was carried: “That this annual meeting of the Co-operative Dairy Co. of Otago congratulates the Government on the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Bill, and urges the Government to pass the legislation providing for a reconstituted Dairy Board. The industry has had numerous conferences on the difficulties of the dairy farmer, and strongly urges that the time has arrived for action.”