FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18630, 7 May 1932, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

WAIKATO SUB-PROVINCE. PRESIDENT REVIEWS YEAR. ECONOMIC POSITION OUTLINED. There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Waikato subprovinclal executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday. The president (Mr J. H. Furniss) presided. * In his annual report the president stated: “The passing of another year has but added to the burden of unemployment and poverty which is the inevitable result of the deflation policy enforced by the post-war return to the gold standard. The direful results which McKenna, Keynes and other eminent authorities warned Britain would follow such action are tragically apparent. The position is rendered more acute by the gold-hoard-ing policy of the United States of America and France, which has reduced the amount of gold available for international exchange purposes to less than one-half. Added to these factors Is the policy of economic nationalism which has been followed to an increasing degree by nearly all nations since the war, and especially by those more or less exotic States created under the Treaty of .Versailles —a policy which by the erection of trade barriers must ultimately strangle international trade, resulting in stagnation and poverty. Economic nationalism and isolation \ are the handmaidens of barbarism. Is civilisation, which but yesterday painfully emerged from the long night, to expand and flower; or, as some think, are we about to enter the darkness again? Each nation is endeavouring, in obedience to its political, financial and press leaders, to reduce imports and increase exports. Since trade to he permanent must be reciprocal it is amazing that the absurdity of such exhortations is not at once recognised. Britain's abandonment of free trade is hailed by many as the birth of a new era of prosperity for Britain and the Empire. While it may result in a temporary stimulus to her industries, it will have a serious reaction upon her ability to compete in the world's markets by raising production costs. Also, since all debts, personal, national or international, must in the last analysis be paid in goods or services, it. will render payment by Britain's debtors still more difficult —may, indeed, result in debt repudiation.

Doubt About Ottawa. “Much is expected of the Ottawa Conference, but it is extremely doubtful If sucli expectations will be realised," Mr Furniss continued. Mr J. H. Thomas has clearly staled that Britain will require as a quid pro quo for the sheltered market she offers substantial reductions against her goods. When we remember Hie readiness with which successive Governments have acceded to the clamour for increased protection for New Zealand industries, the alacrity with which the present. Government lias identified itself with protectionist propaganda. and the vested interest, political and financial, which lias been

created in protection, we should realise that Ottawa may well prove to be a mirage for all concerned. It becomes increasingly apparent that until farmers realise the vital need for untiy they will be sacrificed without scruple by any Government in deference to the wishes of financial and other interests which are sufficiently well organised to be formidable. If proof of such a statement was needed the action of the present Government in commandeering farmers’ produce at the behest of the banks, through the medium of the exchange pool, should clinch the matter. By refusing permission for their action to be tested in court the Government have admitted that It was as Illegal as it was unjust. As a further sidelight upon Government ideas of equity the Minister of Finance has stated that even If the producers had been permitted to bring a case against the Government, and had won tho case, the Government would have checkmated them by passing an Act to validate the illegality. “It is proposed to abolish the exchange pool by the end of June, by which date, owing to the flotation of the £5,000,000 loan In Britain and the fact that the great bulk of our produce will have been sold, any benefit we secure will be small. Mr Coates, in a pre-election speech, stated that 70 per cent, of the farmers were either insolvent or on the border of insolvency, and he stressed the urgent need for assistance to enable them to carry on. Since then prices for all classes of produce have declined. Mr Coates’ statement, taken in conjunction with the subsequent action of the Government upon the exchange question, whereby it is estimated that the dairy farmers have been deprived of approximately £2,000,000, is a cynical example of a Governmental 'assistance.’

Increased Membership. “One bright spot emerging from the gloom is the growing interest of farmers in their union. This is evidenced by the remarkable increase in uinon membership in this sub-province during the past year. The increase—nearly 500—is a tribute both to Mr N. Taylor, the organiser, and to the loyal and unselfish efforts of those members who assisted him in the different districts. Our thanks are due to the Workers’ Educational Association for their unfailing courtesy and readiness to co-operate in any endeavour towards adult education. I am convinced that great good will result from the efforts now being made by Hie union in conjunction with the Workers’ Educational Association. “Wo arc indebted to the Waikato Times for their consistently fair presentation of the farmers' case. Particularly dc we appreciate many of the leading articles upon the tariff question. I wish to place on record my deep appreciation of the courtesy and co-operation extended to me by this executive during my term as president. It has been a privilege and a great pleasure to bo associated with you. 1 wish also to acknowledge, on hrtia'f of this executive, the ready co-opera-tion and assistance extended to us by Hie Auckland executive and the secretary (Mr Robinson). To Mr Allen Ii lender the thanks of the executive and myself for his elficient and willing | assistance. Wo are fortunate In j having one so keen and capable to asasisl us.” Mr F. L. Onion expressed appreciation In the chairman for his report, which had thoroughly summed up the economic position.