FEDERATED FARMERS CHARGES AGAINST DOMINION EXECUTIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 October 1948, Page 6

FEDERATED FARMERS CHARGES AGAINST DOMINION EXECUTIVE

INVERCARGILL, Last Night (P?x)

—The charge that the Dominion president and the executive of Federated Farmers had failed to take the necessary action to prevent legislation detrimental to primary producers being placed on the Statute Book was made by Mr. I. R. Wills at a meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers. Mr. Wills advocated that the federation should become more militant. Moved by Mr. Wilis, on behalf of the West Plains-Otatara branch, the following motion was carried: ‘‘That Southland farmers are perturbed and dissatisfied at the failure of the Dominion president and the executive to take necessary action to prevent legislation detrimental to primary producers, the latest neglect on their part being the Land Valuation Court Bill stabilising farm property at 1942 values which, in effect, means the farmers’ greatest asset is to be sold at a fixed price in spite of the continuing decrease in the value of money. We desire to know urgently if our leaders are going to continue standing on the sideline or if they have a policy and are prepared to take a stand for fair play.”

Strong opposition was met by the chairman, Mr. W. Baird, when he moved on behalf of the Athol-Garston branch: “That wages for casual farm labourers be put on a maximum basis and that breaches of the award be penalised.” The remit was lost. Those opposing it said that the man in desperate need of labour would pay the extra and take the consequences. They considered the scheme would not work.

Awards for harvesting and shearing were on a minimum basis, Mr. Baird said. Some farmers were not keeping to those awards. They were paying above award rates, and to get men other farmers had to fall into line. The Athol branch considered all awards should be on the maximum rate; for instance, the carpenters award was on a maximum basis and recently in the Hutt Valley an employer and employee had been fined for breaches of the award. When farmers were seeking a rise in the price for their produce, award rates were also quoted. The secretary, Mr. G. Anderson, pointed out there were as many farmers paying above the award as those paying award rates.