D. No1196
CONFEiNCE WITH FARME_-S' ORGANISATIONS
Statement by the grime Minister, lt. Hon. R. G. Menzies
This morning the Prime Minister and several of his
Cabinet colleagues met representatives of the National Farmers'
Union of Australia and the Australian Primary Producers' Union.
The National Farmers' Union was represented by Mr. A. F. Havard,
President, Mr. L. H. Heaslip, Australian Wool Meat Producers'
Federation; Mr. J. P. Cass, Australian Wheatgrowers' Federation;
Mr. C. S. J. Conroy, Australian Dairy Farmers' Federation; Mr, T.
L. Bull, Australian Woolgrowers' Graziers' Council; Mr. R. H.
Belcher, Australian Cane Growers' Council; and Mr. A. S. Norquay,
Secretary. The Australian Primary Producers' Union was
represented by Mr. S. Donelan, President; and Messrs J.
Heffernan and I. T. Serjeant.
The representatives of the National Farmers' Union told
the Ministers present that the Government's economic measures in
remedying boom conditions in 1960-61 had generally been
appreciated by prirmary producers. While, naturally, a recovery
to better employment levels was earnestly hoped for, the farming
industries were somewhat apprehensive of the possibility of
injudicious remedies re-introducing the unhealthy conditions
from which the economy had escaped only with some difficulty.
The National Farmers' Union representatives reminded
the Government that Australian export producers were unable to
pass on rising production costs because their overseas markets
faced world competition. However, more exporting was necessary
in order to strengthen the balance of payments and finance
imports necessary for the expanding economy.
The National Farmers' Union said that the economy
would be strengthened by
encouraging increased use of fertilisers by granting a
subsidy
arranging for the supply of bank finance under more
appropriate condi. tions, possibly a 10-year ucirm
ensuring that Australian industries received protection
only after reference to the Tariff . ro) ard and not by
quantitative import restriccic..
avoiding the possibility of costly rr.: r-' y declining the
use of anticipatory duties based 1. osn timation, and
reducing the magnitude of transpor-i .7 xaminring the
possibility of securing a unifor-rice n.:
exploring the practicability of .: L. kii g c: pcial provision
for capital charges on State raiW: , y systems, The
National Farmers' Union said tha only implementing
such a proposal could costs be r-; uced a ride
front
an inquiry by independent authorities into the question of
what policies need to be pursued over the next ten years
that will most closely achieve high living standards and
full employment.
4 I 22,
Representatives of the Australian Primary Producers'
Union expressed agreement with the broad views put to Ministers
by representatives of the National Farmers' Union. In
particular, they stressed that a sound e: ternal economy is the
first essential because internal prosperity and expansion depend
mainly upon ability to export, and so to pay for all essentials
for the maintenance of Australian industry and for development
and expansion. They also stressed the need for a net inflow of
oversea capital for long-term investment.
The Australian Primary Producers' Union also emphadLsed
that Australia's ability to export is closely related to the
level of internal production costs, transport charges, the
maintenance of a sound domestic market and our continued
willingness and abil. ity to buy from countries which buy our
exports. The Australian Primary Producers' Union also recommended
the reduci ion of those taxes ihich have a multiplier effect on
costs throughout dndustry.
At the ccnclusion of the meeting Mir. Menzias said that
this had been a most useful and valuable occasion. He told the
representatives of both Unions that the suggestions they had
proposed would be carefully considered.
January, 1962.