Farmer Contends Import Committee Is Not Complete

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 50, 29 May 1950, Page 5

Farmer Contends Import Committee Is Not Complete

The 'lmport Advisory Committee announced by the Government is not considered by Federated Farmers to be complete, because it has not a member with “real appreciation of the problems of the farming industry.”

“The announcement of the membership of the committee can hardly be hailed with any great enthusiasm by farmers,” according to the Dominion vice-president of Federated Farmers, Mr John Andrew.

Mr Andrew, making this * comment in the absence overseas of the Dominion president, Mr W N. Perry, continued: “I assume that this committee will become the tariff of trade board when legislation is brought down later this year. Federated Farmers asked the Government that at least one member of the proposed body should have ‘a real appreciation of the problems of the farming industry and of the influence which any possible action of the board might have on them.’ It would appear to me that no member of the committee- is in a position to have that appreciation, and that is to be regretted. “On the other hand, the manufacturers have been given what is virtually direct representation on the committee. I wish to emphasise that I do not wish this to be construed as an attack on the appointment of Mr Macdonald, but I cannot over-emphasise that I believe the place of farming in New Zealand’s economy justifies its being treated in this connection with just as much importance as manufacturing.”