FARMERS PREPARED TO ASSIST

Chronicle (Levin), 9 January 1947, Page 8

FARMERS PREPARED TO ASSIST

WIIiTi OO.OPER.ATE WITH GOVERNMENT'

By Telegraph — Press Association WELLINGTON, Jan. 8. "The farmers are hoping that the •grievances of the waterside workers will he reasonahly settled, and the serious delays at the ports enrted," statecl Mr. H. E. Blyde, chairman of the action committee of the Federated Farmers, in a convershtion by telephone with The Post today. ' ' On the other hand, the farmers are prepared to stand hehind any measures, taken in the interests of the community as a whole. ' ' Mr. "Blyde, who was speaking from J^epperton, Taranaki, said there was increasing concern among the farmers because of the continued crisis on the waterfront. The present situation was delicate, he stated, nnd ihe farmers did not wish to precipitate antagonism. However, tliere was 110 p.oint in disguising tlie faet that they were vitally concerned with industrial developments. and the very serious effeets which eould occur to the economv of New Zealand, and th'e whole cQinmunity. "Tf trouble eventuates, I am expeeting a call to Wellington, and doubtless the position will be discussed by ow organisation sliouUl the circumstaiices warrant, " he stated.

"Our attitude is quite pJain. v\ e do not wish to attack any other section ot the community, but we are prepared to do whatever is uecessary to assist tlie ■ Govenimeut in maintaining production. We feel that it is uecessary for the welfare of New Zealand and Britain that production is maintained. " I11 thiso conuection, we are of the opinion that the respousibility is tlie Govenimeut 's, but we are prepared "to cooperate with the Goverument in the interests of the community and of essential production." Storage Space Filled. Oue immediate cousequence of the delays to shipping was the postponement of avooI saies, said Mr. Blyde, and the sheep farmers were greatly concerned over tlie position, in which tlie outloolc was quite uncertain. Storage space was- already filling with wool. and. with butter and elieese, and it \v,as already apparen't that" this season ,'s pi:?„ cluee. wbul(l 'reach . Britain late'u .' than: was;- u'U : - ? > " 'U , f ''Tlifs is l>ad Jnr;BnitaiiiyaAi4 4lJhus:t; ksajy: t|iaB ■ if Ajili /hbt jfelpifig TBk ecohoiny o-f New Zealand, Mr. .Blyde continued. There' was an' imperative demand for Neiv Zealand produce at the moinent, but in ordinary times the effeet of the waterfront crisis upon New Zealand 's overseas markets, which had to be retained against competition. would be far-reachiiig. The action committee of the Federated Farmers had naturally discussed the industrial eventualities, and if had not beeii idle, said Mr. Blyde, who added; "But I waut to niake it elear that we are not out to Tiglit any other sec t.ion of the commnnity. If they are called upon to lielp, the farmers wiil ' he prepared to do so. No Antagonistjc Attitude. "We are not takmg up ari antagonistic attitude, but we are prepared to do whatever is uecessary to eope with the production problem. It is a defensive attitude." More stoeks of butter and chee.se eould continue to accumulate for a while, said klr. Blyde, 'in refetencc to

the neeessity of maintaining smoath production and clearances ' from the dairy factories, but under the'-existing conditions the aeeunmlations eould. nol continue indefinitely. It appeared to hini that, in the ahsence of a solution to tlie crisis, a serious problem' eould quickly deveiop in the meat - industry. Freezing works which eould not get -rid of the meat production and were too eongeated would be obliged to cease .killings of stoek. That was not the position at the moment, but it was perhaps witliin measurable distance. . It eould not be stressed too mueh how importaAt.it was.to New Zealand to ensure the proper liandling of perish able products from the land. The eflfects of delays were manifold. It was perhaps not generally realised that delays harmed the economy even in regard to animals on the hoof. Congestion at the works eould mean that stoek ivas not killed at the correct time, and the best l'esults were lost accordingly. ' N