FARMERS' TROUBLES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXV, Issue 3336, 27 July 1935, Page 5

FARMERS' TROUBLES

MR W. HARBUTT'S VIEWS

"SOLUTION IS NOT IN LEGISLATION."

Dealing with the dairying industry in general at the annual meeting of the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company yesterday, the chairman, Mr W. Harbutt, gave his opinion of the road to recovery for the New Zealand dairy farmer.

Tracing the efforts of the Government to deal with the situation he referred to the setting up of the Royal Commission and the recommendations carried out by Parliament, including the setting up of the Agriculture Executive Commission, the reconstruction of the Dairy Board and the passing of the Mortgage Corporation Act. "As yet it is too early to comment on the operation of this legislation," said Mr Harbutt, "but I have doubts as to the ultimate benefits accruing to those who are seeking relief from it. We have had four years of relief legislation, commencing in April, 1931, with the Mortgagors' Relief Act, followed with an Amendment Act in November. The Act was further enlarged in March, 1932, to give relief to tenants in addition to mortgagors and then shortly afterwards, the National Expenditure Adjustment Act was passed which applied a 20 per cent cut to interest, and rents.

"Further relief legislation was passed in 1932 and 193?. culminating with the setting up of the Mortgage Corporation and a Court of Review under the P.-iral Mortgagors' Final Adjustment Act, but can it be said that any of these have assisted the farmer? They have certainly kep't him ,on his farm, but what relief have they given?" asked the chairman. "Hoot Gauss Not Touched" "The real root cause of Ike famies' difficulties has not been touched," continued Mr Harbutt. "While the farmers' income comes from the sales overseas of Ins products in world markets, over which he has little or no control, his costs come from local conditions prevailing in New Zealand over which he shouM have some definite control. His pound sterling buying goods in London is a different pound when purchasing in New Zealand and until the value is brought nearer together so long will the farmer remain in the precarious position he now finds himself. "The time is well overdue when those directly interested in the dairying industry must co-operate more and form a combination to fight for them and protect them and their livelihood from the ever increasing legislation which continues to bind them hand and foot without any eonsideration being given to their own or their company's individual operations," continued Mr Harbutt. "It is to be regretted that the new Dairy Board has not made any move to improve our connections with Home agents, the legislation remaining the same with regard to agents and restrictions on f.o.b. selling." Subsidies Not Needed Referring to suggested direct subsidies to farmers as advocated by certain parties, the chairman said that never in a country like New Zealand should it be necessary, to subsidise the dairy or any other farmer. "We are an agricultural country in entirety," he said. "Look at the value and origin of our exports, after which consider conditions of the producer. I would suggest the exchange has ktpt the farmer temporarily on his land, but it has not been the benefit which;'the townspeople suppose. If wo had exchange plus a reduction in tariff to a : been of assistance and real help. "To come down to plain facts, the farmer does not want any soon-feeding or subsidies. He knows his business. The export figures speak for themselves. In certain cases quality has been at fault, but in the main quality of his exports is outstanding. "Pair Deal Wanted "Then what does he want to rehabilitate himself?" asked Mr Harbutt. "He wants a fair deal. As 1 have already stated he wants others in different occupations arid manufacturies to do their bit, be he either artisan or labourer, and no legislative privileges. He wants legislation which is fair and equitable to all clas.-'es, no preferences ov preferential laws, and when he gets these lie will not: want any Mortgage Acts or Final Adjustment Acts to keep him on his farm.

'•'He has pioneered this country and should be proud of his achievement. He has laboured and still can labour, but a labourer is worthy of his hire and the dairy farmer does not want tying to any Government apron strings, but a chance to work out his own salvation that he may have some just return for the hours he, his wife, family and the paid farm assistants, labour in producing the true wealth of Our

country." Mr Harbutt added that the position of the industry was very critical. In Canada :t subsidy of over h\ lb was added to the cheese payouts, and 1m considered that a similar system applied in the Dominion would be of great assistance to the New Zealand producers.

Unless conditions were altered a o-reat many wou'.d be forced out of business. The Final Adjustment Act was not so beneficial as it would appear and, in his opinion, the only way in which the country was .to gain a "clean-up" of mortgages was through tin 1 medium of the old Bankruptcy Xct —the quickest and simplest way of cleaning up the whole mess.

Taneatua Bail to Close?—Sir .Tames Gunson, who, with members of the Railways Board, visited the eastern portion of the Buy of Plenty Railway, says that owing to the loss the Te Puke-Tnncatua section may have to be -closed.