FARMING PROBLEM.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 9 April 1938, Page 3

FARMING PROBLEM.

LACK OF LABOUR.

CONFERENCE HELD. RIGHT TO CRITICISE. [By Telegraph.—Press AssociationJ HAMILTON, April 9. A claim that despite attempts to entangle the Farmers' Union in part}' politics and split the organisation ii was as strong as ever, was made by Mr. G. T. Crawley, the president, at the Waikato subprovineial conference of the Union yesterday. "The union has wisely decided to keep clear of this pernicious party system," he said. "It reserves the right to criticise where necessary, or assist any Government in office. If our strength is maintained and pressure is increased, it will be possible to compel the Government to give the primary producers that measure of justice for which the union leaders have been fighting for years." Mr. Crawley'expressed the view that •a policy'of economic nationalism was largely responsible for the deterioration of international affairs, and, un> fortunately, in New Zealand, some legislators appeared to favour that course, despite its obvious evil effects.

Referring to the Empire producers' conference now in session at Sydney, he described the proposal of the. British delegation that the Dominion representatives should, agree to a regula. tion of the supplies entering the United Kingdom from all sources, as most dangerous. Until the consumers were satisfied the move should bo strongly resisted.

Mr. Crawley considered that the.lack of labour was still the most pressing farming problem, which would be solved if the farmer were enabled to pay competitive wages and provide suitable accommodation and conditions.