FARMING STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 19 April 1939, Page 9

FARMING STRIKE

ENSURING FAIR PRICES EXTREME METHOD NOT FAVOURED ACCEPTABLE LEVEL NOMINATED Feeling regarding the fixation of the guarantee price this season, rising to the extent that a general strike among farmers was suggested to force the Government to pay a just price, was expressed at the annual conference of the Waikato sub-provincial district of the Farmers' Union in Hamilton yesterday. A decision to urge the Government to adopt the recommendation of the guaranteed price committee was made. Mr .T. 11. Kurniss was of the opinion that the case of the farmers was based on Justice and no threats of force should lie necessary to have a fair price secured. Failing a satisfactory price being given for dairy produce next season, the Huntly West.branch suggested that the executive notify all branches to take direct action as from August 1. 1939. Elaborating that suggestion, Mr W. 11. Lees said if there was no other method of securing a fair price, the remit simply meant that farmers would have to declare a general production strike. “ I think a strike should he carried out to the fullest extent if the price is not satisfactory,” said Mr Lees. The remit suggesting the extreme measures was heavily defeated. Allowance for Bigger Costs Moved by Mr F. H. Anderson (Cambridge) the following remit to the Dominion Conference was adopted. “ In the opinion of this conference nothing less than the price for butter, ns unanimously recommended by the committee for the 1938-39 season, is in accordance with the letter or spirit of the Agricultural Products Marketing Act. We regret that the Government has not seen fit to give a just Interpretation to its own Marketing Act for the current season. For the 1939-40 season we claim the ascertainable increased costs of production must be added to last season's recommendation to give bare justice to producers.” Mr H. M. Rushworth, president of the Auckland provincial executive of | the Farmers’ Union, said the feeling Of Insecurity among farmers was universal, for none knew what price was likely to be paid from year to year since the Government had once rejected the findings of the special committee. ** When this remit finally reaches the Government, what then?” asked Mr Rushworth. Speaking on that point, Mr F. C. Roberts said it was little use passing a remit'such as put forth by Mr Anderson unless the union was prepared to follow it up. “ We have a Government which will not rectify the price for us unless it is forced to do so,” said Mr Roberts. Refusal to Pay Tax “ i suggest,” said Mr R. G. Young, ‘ that the farmers refuse to pay the facial security taxation, and invite JJther sections of the community to do •so, unless a satisfactory price is paid.” A remit from Horsham Downs suggesting that the Government be asked to make payments for butter within a fortnight of delivery to cold storage was lost. Speaking against that remit Mr Anderson said such a step would only Invite the Government to decrease the guaranteed price, In passing on the costs of storage. The cool stores were owned by co-operate interests in the dairy Industry and Mr Anderson considered it would be a retrograde step to allow’ the stores to come under Government control.