CO-OPERATIVE FARMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 5

CO-OPERATIVE FARMS

LABOURSPROPOSAL DECISIONS OF CONFERENCE. (P.A.) Wellington Nov. 13. The establishment of co-operative and collective farms will be recommended to the Government by the conference of the Federation of Labour. This, and other far-reaching proposals affecting the farming industry, were contained in remits, many of Which were endorsed by the conference to-day. Conference endorsed a proposal that farm lands not in 'ull production be taken for soldiers' development. A further remit was proposal that prospective farmers be graded according to their ability before being allowed to purchase land. In this fprm the remit was not adopted, but the land and agriculture committee proposed . that where Government lands were involved a system of grading be evolved. Conference adopted this recommendation. The Government is to be asked to institute a progressive rural housing scheme, and to encourage greater primary production. When a remit proposing consideration of rural manpower problems came forward, Mr. G. A. Hensen, convener of the committee, reported that

there was no farm labour shortage to-day. He said the Director of Manpower, Mr. Bockett, had just been round the rural areas and reported there was no serious shortage. Measures to give special privilege to returned men were recommenced in remits before the conference. The following proposals were endorsed, and will be brought before the Government for consideration: That no house property or business be sold to a civilian if a returned man requires it; that in the event of further hotel licences being granted returned service personnel be given priority; that returned servicemen who have lost a limb, or have any other injury, will not suffer reduced pensions, or be forced to accept lower wages than the scale provided bv the industry concerned; that an official service badge be issued to all returned service personnel. A proposal that public servants be given a greater share in the management of State departments was approved. It was also decided to recommend that the work and services of State departments be given more publicity.

The conference recommended that th" setting up of local efficiency committees within various departments be encouraged; also, that no member of the Government services should be transferred until suitable accommodation has been provided by the department concerned, nor should such member be penalised in any future promotion.