HELP FOR FARMERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18258, 20 February 1931, Page 9

HELP FOR FARMERS.

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

ITS POLICY OUTLINED. The executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, recently referred the question of reviewing its political platform and of considering what, further action should he taken to the Economic Committee of the Union. A very full meeting of the Economic Committee was held yesterday, .when decisions were come to on a variety of questions designed to help the country and the farming community, in the present difficulties. The report deals with farm relief as well as a political platform particularly in regard to rural finance. The following resolutions were carried:—

Mortgage Adjustments.

1. “That in order to afford opportunities for relief in cases of hardship, Rural . Finance Adjustment Boards should be set up in each Land District to whom farmers unable to renew their mortgages might appeal; such boards to hear the evidence of both parties, and make recommendations. In the event of such recommendations hot being accepted, the board to have power to submit the matter to some judicial authority to be set up by the Government for the purpose.’’ Members were of the opinion that much useful work would be performed by the district boards in re-arrang-ing mortgages, and that some ultimate tribunal was required to which cases could be referred when the boards could not effect a settlement.

Maintenance of Production

In order to prevent a national disaster, members w r ere unanimous in stating that the production of primary produce had to be kept up and even increased, also, that the working of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board should be supported by the Government in order to enable it to obtain finance. With that objective in view the following resolutions were carried : l

1. “That the Government should be asked to provide financial backing for the fertiliser companies for an extended period in order that the companies might be enabled to extend similar credit to co-operative concerns and merchants on condition that they in turn pass on the concession to the farmers."

2. “That the Government be asked to consider a scheme for setting up an Appeal Board to consist of the Minister of Finance and the chairman of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board, the Unemployment Boards and the State Advances Board to which the Rural Intermediate Credit Board could submit cases referred to it by the associations of farmers deserving of assistance in the opinion of the associations, in order to meet interest payments and maintain them on their 'farms. That the cost of such assistance be borne by the State in the meantime but be a secondary charge upon the assets of the borrower,, collectable by the Rural Intermediate Credit Board through, its associations \vho, as agents for the Grown should undertake the supervision of the borrowers’ finance and operations similar to the supervision of their own members, and that one of whose members may appear on behalf of the applicants before the Central Boards."

Intermediate Credit Bonds. In order to give a decided impetus to the sale of Rural Intermediate Credit Board debentures It was decided to ask the Government to give the same support to these debentures as is statutorily provided for rural advances bonds. Members were\ of the opinion if this were done the Rural Intermediate Credit Board would have at least an equal opportunity with the Government of raising money wherever the bonds were offered for sale.

Reduction of Farmers’ Costs. As a means towards reducing farm costs, the following resolutions were carried:— 1. “This committee, convinced that the effect of the operations of Hie Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act has been to restrict employment, cripple industry, and create stagnation, joins with the employers’ organisations in demanding that a system of compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration be substituted for the existing law.” 2. “That legislation similar to that of 1921 be enacted, empowering the Arbitration Court (simultaneously to review all existing awards.” 3. “This committee, realising -that rating for roading purposes is no longer a fair burden upon the primary producer inasmuch as the roads are carrying national traffic in competition with the railway, demands its abolition and the substitution of petrol taxation; further this committee points out to the Government that the Dominion's chief compeilors have also abolished land taxation as a capital lax operating unfairly, and draws attention to the additional hardship and injustice of such a system of taxation in a country dependent upon the prosperity of the primary producer.” 4. "This committee declares its conviction that the first essential in reducing costs is to so readjust taxation that the necessities and tools of production may be lowered in price by means of reductions in the Customs tariff, the difference being made up by luxury taxation as well as by increased income taxation.” Public Expenditure. In addition the committee was unanimous that the expenditure of both Government' Departments and Local Bodies should be materially decreased. With that end in view the two following resolutions were carried : 1. “This committee demands drastic decreases in all Government and Local Bodies’ expenditure. Ail items of nonessential expenditure should be eliminated and costs of administration reduced.” 2. “This committee expresses disapproval at the waste of public money in the continuation of railway construction programme which has been shown will add considerably to the enormous loss the railways are already making; and. demands the cessation of new work and the utilisation of Hie Jabour in productive employment.” The committee is also of tin; opinion that the Government should give immediate effect to all the recommendations of the recent Railway Commission—in particular, the divorce of the operation of the railways from political control. Endorsement of Political Action. A long discussion took place regarding ways and means of getting the farming' community to make itself fell at future elections, as the farming industry was in a desperate plight-. Members were agreed that the only way (Continued in next column.)

that the farming community could have its wrongs righted was through the election of men who were sympathetic to the farming industry irrespective of political party. Eventually the foi-l-owing resolution was carried: — “This committee recommends members to stand behind their leaders and do everything in their power to place in Parliament those candidates who will support the union’s platform, and who will undertake to light for the farmers’ cause.” it was suggested by -the committee that where all the candidates in an electorate agreed to the platform o;’ the Union the executive of the union in which the electorate was situated should decide which candidate was to ne supported.