FARMERS’ FEARS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20071, 18 October 1939, Page 3

FARMERS’ FEARS

SOCIALIST MENACE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED RUSHING OF POLICY Protests against the Government’s alleged policy of socialisation of the farming industry, it being considered that the war was used as a screen to rush permanent policy measures through, were voiced when the subprovincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met at Edgecumbe, Eay of Plenty. Determination to resist the policy by all legal means was expressed. Mr. A. G. Lambert, of the Auckland executive, said the Government had been given an assurance of cooperation and undoubtedly farmers would have been prepared to carry. this out and make considerable sacrifices to promote the country’s-wel-fare. but the offer of co-operation was interpreted as willingness to acquiesce in their own destruction. Any opposition would be justified if if prevented the implementing of the Government’s plans, which would prevent the country from developing its best effort in flic war. A motion was carried that the conference was alarmed and indignant at the sequence of events, and in particular the latest amendments to the Marketing' Act. It resented the restrictions imposed unnecessarily on the freedom of the people, ancl the fact that advantage had been taken of the world situation to implement a political policy for which in normal circumstances the people would not shun 1 , and which was calculated to strangle any effective effort and end in national disaster. It requested the Auckland executive to press for the calling of a special Dominion conference to consider the matter.