FARMERS APPROVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 248, 31 July 1937, Page 3

FARMERS APPROVE

COMPENSATED PRICE POLICY. ADDRESS BY COLONEL CLOSEY. Approval to tho compensated price plan, as outlined by the organiser (Colonel S. J. E. Closer) Avas given at a meeting of farmers convened by the Mid-Canterbury Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon. The folloAving motion, moved by Mr W. R. Hammond, and seconded by Mr H. Watts, Avas carried unanimously “That this meeting of farmers approves of the compensated price policy as explained by Colonel Closey.” Questions Avere an9Avered by the speaker after his address. Continuing his remarks after the “Guardian” Avent to press, ho said that unemployment could not he cured until farming expanded again. There must he an expanding farming economy because of the benefit it would bestoAV over the whole group of industries. The claim of the farmers should he made in terms of the promises that had been made to them. It would bo said that by building up the farmers’ position products he produced Avould increase in price in Ncav Zealand. But NeAV Zealand had a comparatively loav food cost and the farmer provided the tAvo cheapest items in the food hill, meat and butter. There could he no grievance on the part of tlie city worker that products would go up in price. “Numerically Ave cannot afford to he divided and AA r e must unite,” paid tlie speaker. He had put a plan before every proAunce in NeAV Zealand, and 70,000 had been addressed, Avith less than 10 dissentients from this plan. Mr W. R. Hammond asked if the policy Avould mean the taking over by the Government of all produce from farms. Colonel Closey said on the contrary it Avas intended to prevent the Government taking further steps in this direction. It Avas intended to demand from the Government tlie compensation for the products it had already taken over. The chairman (Mr L. 0. Oakley) said that tlie speaker said that if the plan were to succeed the Government Avould have no desire to take over further products. If it was its stated policy to do this, would it not he inclined to relinquish the scheme. Colonel Closey said if a united farming community presented a case saying it AA r anted to preserve its oavtl marketing poAver and control, it Avas a reasonable development for the Government to agree to do this. He could not imagine the .Government flying in tlie face of a Avell organised industry. Many people Avere supporting tlie compensating price because they saAV in it the retention of the individual system. After ansAvering further questions the speaker Avas occorded a A r ote of thanks for his remarks. Tlie chairman expressed Iris disappointment at tlie small attendance, saying that lie thought more interest should have been taken in the subject. Mr F. Johnson (Seafield) strongly supported this vieiv. It Avas decided to endeavour to arrange meetings in the more important centres in the Comity.