MANY PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1939, Page 5

MANY PROBLEMS

SPEEDY ACTION SOUGHT BY FARMERS Deputation Interviews Ministers FROM UNION AND WOMEN’S DIVISION SIX CARDINAL POINTS STATED

(By Telegraph.---Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Many problems affecting' the farming' industry in Nev Zealand were summarised in si-x cardinal points by a combined deputation representing the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, which waited on Cabinet Ministers in Wellington yesterday. They were: The exchange rate, financial assistance for farmers,'taxation for hospital purposes, the guaranteed prices in the 1939-40 season, transport charges and the shortage of farm labour. The Government was urged to act immediately on all matters. Between 400 and 500 persons comprised the deputationone of the largest representative of the farming industry which has waited on the Government as a body. It was headed by the Dominion President of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr W. W. Mulholland, and the Dominion President of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Mrs J. Wickham. The deputation was received by the Minister of Education, Mr Fraser, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin, the Attorney-General, Air Mason, and the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb. An apology for the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister, Air Savage, on account of pressure of other business, was conveved by Mr Fraser.

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR. The shortage of labour was stressed by the wives of seven farmers. The majority said that they had been compelled to work in cowsheds while able-bodied men had been attracted into more lucrative occupations or were on sustenance. As a result many of the workers offering were not of the best type, being inefficient and difficult to accommodate on farms. Many farmers’ wives would prefer to do without such labour. Men of better calibre were required. Another speaker stressed the problem that faced the farmer during periods of sickness. THE EXCHANGE RATE. To bring farmers’ costs and prices into line farmers believed that the exchange rate should be allowed to find its true level, said Mr W. J. Thomas, Wairarapa, in presenting the following resolution which had been carried at the Farmers’ Union conference: — “That in order to bring farmers’ costs and prices into line, this conference urges the Government, either to bring costs down, or, through the Reserve Bank, to raise the exchange rate of the £ New Zealand to the £ sterling to a point which will reflect the difference. in price level between the two countries, at the same time reducing tariffs proportionately. This would necessitate a corresponding adjustment in guaranteed prices of products for export.” “We are not blaming the Labour Government entirely for the difficulties we are, in today,” said Mr Thomas. “We Wave been depreciating our currency for years, and prices have steadily been going up.” It was felt, he continued, that the only way that costs could be reduced in a constructive manner was to bring the New Zealand pound into its true relationship with sterling. By reducing costs we do not mean to reduce the standard of living for the workers,” said Mr Thomas. Most dairy farmers had been wage earners, and understood the position of the worker, but they did not think that a high money rate meant a high standard of living. Mr Thomas added that the deficiency in the Dairy Account was one of the main reasons why the sheep farmers were opposed to the guaranteed price. They believed that if there were a deficiency in the wool and meat account it would come back on the farmer in the shape of increased taxation. GUARANTEED PRICE. “We feel that the last word had not yet been said on the price for the incoming season." said Mr R. J. Glasgow, Onewhero, referring to the guaranteed price. Anything less than the price recommended by the Advisory Committee set up by the Government could not be accepted by the industry without causing hardship. He considered no useful purpose was served in making comparisons between the position of the dairy farmer today and during the depression years. When the final returns for this season were compiled it would be shown that all was not as well as it should be in the dairy industry. Supporting the previous speaker, Mr B. Clearwater, Southland, said dairyfarmers wanted the recommendations of the commission put into effect. HOSPITAL RATING. Mr H. E. Blyde, Taranaki, said that the land tax was creating hardship and hampering production. Dealing with taxation for hospital purposes, he said that farmers fould that rates were increasing alarmingly. The resolution to which the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conference asked the Government to give serious consideration was: “This conference urges that the present inequitable system of hospital rating placing as it does an ever-increasing and unbearable burden of rates on the farming community without regard to ability to pay. should be abolished and the whole cost be met from the Social Security fund.”

Another conference resolution presented was: “That the Government be asked to institute immediately a temporary stay of proceedings againstfarmers in financial difficulties pending the decision of the Government following the Royal Commission’s report thereupon.” MINISTERS IN REPLY DESIRE FOR CO-OPERATION. Mr Fraser said he was very pleased to hear the expressions of goodwill and willingness to help in solving the problems outlined by the deputation. If they could be translated into achievements a great deal would have been accomplished. The Government was fully aware of the difficulties which faced the farming community. They should be capable of solution. Referring to the shortage of farm labour Mr Fraser said that some inducement should be offered to young men to make dairy-farming attractive. It was a long-range problem requiring a long-range solution, in which the co-operation of all concerned was required. Mr Fraser referred to the action of the Minister of Public Works in deciding to make available men from Public Works for seasonable occupation. Referring to the . question of hospital rating he said that this was not a rural or urban matter, but a national one. He assured the deputation that their requests would receive every consideration.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin ,said that it was expected that the Minister of Marketing, Mr Nash would be back in New Zealand early in August. Doubtless he would discuss the guaranteed price with the Dairy Board and the position might be reviewed. He believed that the final recommendations would prove satisfactory. The Government claimed that it had given stability to the farmers, but, if further security were necessary, the Government would also be prepared to give every consideration to reasonable proposals. STAY ORDERS PROPOSAL. The Attorney-General, Mr Mason, dealing with the question of moratoriums, said that he would welcome specific details of cases of hardship. The Government was prepared to give every consideration to the representations made. Where they were supported by concrete facts a much clearer picture of difficulties could be obtained. “I am prepared to send my placement officers to your conference to get a list of names of farmers requiring labour,” said the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb. It was not a new problem. One of the first things he had done after taking office was to call conferences' for the purpose of finding what farm labour was required. Unfortunately many farmers had not availed themselves of this labour. Voices: “What about the wages?” Mr Webb: “I’m not dealing with wages, but with the supply of labour.” Voices: “We'll have to get more money to pay those wages.” Mr Webb said he would co-operate with the farmers 100 per cent to try to evolve a plan to supply them with the class of labour they wanted. At the moment his placement officers had lists of experienced farm workers anxious to get back to farm work. He was hopeful that increased economic security for farmers would result in more attractive conditions being provided for workers. Obviously farmers had to recognise the need for better amenities for their labour. In expressing appreciation of the sympathetic hearing given the deputation. Mr Mulholland said that it had not come in a hostile frame of mind. Farmers wore united in their desire to co-operate with the Govern ment to improve their position. What was urgently required was immediate action.