“LOOKING FOR ACTION”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19987, 12 July 1939, Page 14

“LOOKING FOR ACTION”

FARMERS AND POLITICS UNION PRESIDENT’S CALL (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. “The farmers cannot afford the Government to be under the control of either of these two groups,” declared Mr. W. W. Mulholland, president of the Farmers’ Union, when speaking at the annual Dominion conference yesterday. He referred to the Labour and the National parties, reviewing each in their attitude towards the farmers’ interests. Although the Labour Party contained a number of farmers, it contained an element, if not actively opposed to farmers, at least quite regardless of their interests, said Mr Mulholland.

On the other hand, while the National Party’s policy was closely allied to that of the Farmers’ Union, there were extreme conservative elements who were .planning to obtain control of the policy once the. National Party came to .power and to force actions and policies not at all consistent with the Farmers - Union policy. “The question at issue is, can farmers more elfeetively prevent them becoming masters of uie situation b> oeing inside tne two existing parties, or by establishing or supporting an independent third party?" Mr. MillHolland asked. “Farmers are feeling to-day that diey are face to face witn a growing menace. iney are reeling tne pressure of rising costs. Tney see tne results of a lifetime of frugality and eiiort melting into nothingness. They near strange .doctrines throbbing tnrough tne ether extolling extravagance, sloth and irresponsibility. They ream that exports are unimportant, and that a jazz band gets for a night’s nudiing more than many a farmer can make in weeks of hard work. “And they know that it is all wrong! They are looking to us for action. The iveiiare of uie country depends largely on the wisdom and sanity displayed by the organised farmers of incw Zealand in the next year or two. it is a great responsibility that rests upon us. Gentlemen, we accept that responsibility.”