FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19421, 22 November 1934, Page 2

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

NORTH AUOKLAND DIBTRIGT. WHANGAREI, Wednesday. Referring to the Dairy 'Commission’s report, Mr. Grounds said it had some rather extraordinary features. It elevated secondary matter to that of primary importance, and submerged the really primary interests. He considered the. report disappointing in Its omissions, confusion and inconsistencies, and that it contained some undesirable and dangerous proposals. - , ' Mr. Grounds said the suggestion of establishing a rural mortgage corporation which .the commission considered would effect a saving of 14 per -cent Interest to farmers, was, In his. opinion, merely a fantastic idea which would' reshjt In the formation of- many more- commissions and the appointment of supervising officers to see that the proposal was conducted on proper lines; Mr. Grounds also criticised the recommendation of the commission for the reconstruction of the Produoe Board and the setting up .outlie Council of production and of trade. In '-answer to a.--question, Mr. Grounds said the board was not aware that the Government was making a profit of £II,OOO, on dairy grading until It was mentioned in the commission’s report. * , ■Mr “A. J. Murdoch, M.P.: In view of the fact that the chairman of the Produce Board was a member of the commission, did he agree with the report or make a minority report? Mr. Grounds: He has not made any minority:: report, but qualified some of the -recommendations. • In reply to a further question, Mr. Grounds said;* the board impressed upon the -Cabinet that it would be fatal to enforce a restriction of exports from the Dominions. To a question by Mi. E. b. ire maine (Whangarei), Mr Grounds said It was a most deplorablei fact that there had been a lamentable lack of co-operation in the industry but the board wa3 trying to overcome that. Request for Bubsldy. The following motion was carried. —"That a subsidy »e requested from the Government covering the running costs of the average, dairy farmer and to provide a reasonable standard of living, , this relief to apply from the commencement of the present season and to operate until the price level rises above the level agreed on as a minimum necessity. Further motions were carried strongly protesting against a qualitative restriction of exports piotesting against the action of the Government in establishing a supremo council of production and of Uade, and urging that in any i® constl tion of the Dairy Produce Boaid he members be elected entirely from tho Pr Mes C sVs 3 ' F. Cullen, E. G. APPhR'm and W. Wallace were appointed to represent the ward at the central conference at Wellington next month.