ARBITRATION COURT WANTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23265, 28 July 1945, Page 4

ARBITRATION COURT WANTED

Fixing Prices For Farm Produce “Present Position Is Unjust’’ Virtually advocating the establishment in New Zealand of a farmers’ Arbitration Court, members of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday expressed their strong disapproval of the Government fixing the price for farmers’ produce when the Government is the sole purchaser of the produce. Farmers were anxious to increase food supplies, it was stated, but they must receive adequate recompense to meet their increased costs. Unanimous support was given the. following resolution presented by Mr A. J. Davey: “That in order to eliminate the present unjust position which arises when the. New Zealand Government, being the only purchaser of farmers’ produce, fixes the price for it. the Dominion Executive of the Farmers’ Union be urged immediately to take the necessary steps to have the fixation and adjustment of prices paid

to farmers for produce removed from the sphere of political influence and control and placed in the hands of an independent tribunal, such tribunal to be presided over by a judge of the Supreme Court and to be entirely free from political control, and whose decision shall be final.” Support was also given the following remit from the Waimate branch: “That in view of the urgent need for increased food supplies for the Mother Country as well as for the requirements of the Dominion, this meeting of primary producers undertakes, in spite of all difficulties, to maintain, and wherever possible increase,, production. In order to make this effort fully effective, we urge the Government to make provision for the early return of experienced agricultural workers from the Armed Forces and also that adequate provision be made in the prices for farm products to cover increased costs.” Farmers’ Example “Various sections of the community present demands to the Government and threaten to cease production if those demands are not met,” said Mr J. C. Hay, introducing the Waimate remit. “In spite of great difficulties the farmers have struggled on in an endeavour to continue production and their reasonable attitude at all times makes me proud to belong to the profession. We are disappointed with the Government’s response to our reasonable requests for increased prices to meet our mounting costs, and we cannot help comparing the Minister of Mines with the Minister of Agriculture. While the Minister of Mines is the champion of the miners, the Minister of Agriculture opposes the farmers.” ’ The Waimate remit expressed the spirit of the farming community who during difficult years had cheerfully produced more with less, said Mr Davey. Reasonable provision for farmers’ Increased costs had not been made in the past. “We are the only section of the community who have to go to the Government for a fixed price,” continued Mr Davey. “We have to go to a Minister of the Crown, mostly unsympathetic, with cap in hand to plead for a price to cover our costs. We prove our case, but that does not mean anything. We should demand some just measure ” Mr Hay: Threats to the Government are undermining the foundation of our democracy. We must try to set the example in another direction and leave it. to the Government to do the decent thing. A voice: And be laughed at once again! ‘(lnstead of approaching unsympathetic Ministers of the Crown why not try the Federation of Labour for a change?” suggested Mr James Barclay. “Why not go to the men who have the power and are reputed as getting things done? The Ministers will not, or cannot, help us. Mr James Roberts had expressed sympathy with the farmers; he has the power. Let us try him.” Mr A. V. Pavey: The Minister of Agriculture has proved dead against us in all our requests. We definitely need the facilities of arbitration. Mr R. S. McCully: There is only one thing wrong with our resolution advocating arbitration; it is nine and a-half years too late!