STRONG PROTEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 24 November 1939, Page 9

STRONG PROTEST

PRODUCE PRICES WITHHOLDING OF WOOL RADIO PROPAGANDA INDIGNATION OF FARMERS Expressions of dissatisfaction with respect to the price being paid by the Government for primary produce were voiced by speakers at a mass meeting of farmers and their wives, held in Paeroa on Wednesday. The hall proved to be too small to accommodate the crowd, and over 100 stood outside and listened to the addresses with the aid of loudspeakers. Mr. A. 11. Blackmorc. president of the Northern Thames executive of the Fanners’ Union, presided. He said that the farmers wanted to earn their living without undue outside interference. «

Mrs. L. Drinkwater, a sub-provincial president of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union and a working farmer, described the difficulties she bad had in obtaining farm labour, and the effect of the increased costs on her fanning operations. Sheepfarmcrs’ Lot

A statement thatsheepfarmers were worse off than dairymen was made by Mr. H. S. Curtis, of Colville. He added that for only during one season in the last 10 years was the price paid for wool a payable one. Ti e speaker said sheep country at Colville was definitely going back. The carrying capacity of former years could not be maintained owing to the difficulty in obtaining labour and in securing a sufficient income to pay for fertilisers and other necessaries that were essential to good husbandry. Mr. Curtis quoted instances of county rates increasing from £8 to £26 and from £6 10s to £22 10s in a few years. Colville growers, he said, could obtain a scow a few years ago to take their sheep to Auckland for £l4. The price to-day was £22, and whereas the same scow used to carry 400 sheep, owing to new regulations only 300 were carried this season. Wool cartage had also increased from 7s 6d to £1 in the last four years. Strike Suggested

Mr. Curtis asked his hearers, “What are you going to do about it?” Voices: Strike.

Mr. Curtis: You say “strike.” The farmers in our district are holding their wool, and no wool will be sold until the Sheep-growers’ Association decides what action should be taken. Mr. W. Marshall, of Paeroa, said a deep-seated dissatisfaction' was felt with the trend of conditions which existed and with the national policy that crippled and discouraged those to whom the appeal for increased production had been made. The large attendance indicated that the farmers- and their wives were tired of being Cinderellas. They were rising in their demand for equality of sacrifice and equality of reward. Mr. Marshall said the dairy producers had no fault to find with the terms made by the Imperial Government for New Zealand butter and cheese, but the farmers were dissatisfied with the disparity in the effort being made by them and their families, and that made by other sections of the community.

Attack Over the Air Referring to the recent attack made by the director of commercial broadcasting, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, on the farming community, Mr. Marshall said: “We are entitled to serve notice on all concerned that we will not tolerate the issue of insidious propaganda from a highly-placed Government official, who, sitting in a palatial building, sowed the seeds of bitterness and dissension under the guise of religion. Nor will we tolerate the turning of New Zealand into a totalitarian Slate.

“We have an enemy at the gate, it is true, and our efforts must be directed to defeat that enemy, but we dare not shut our eyes to the enemy within the gate. We are enitled to say that we will do everything that legitimately can be done to protect New Zealanders, and particularly the young people, and assurg o them their liberty and freedom, their independence and the opportunity to enjoy the full scope of activity their country has to offer.” Price to Cover Costs The following motion was passed unanimously: “This meeting of farmers and others from the Hauraki Plains, Thames Valley, Coromandel Peninsula and Whitianga, declare their inability with the present price for primary produce and labour conditions, to accede to the Empire request to increase production in a time of war and in accordance with their patriotic desire. We demand of the Government that its promise to the farmer that the Government payment for primary produce would cover increased costs should be implemented.

“In support of this demand, we consider that urgency is desired to avoid a total destruction of potential farming initiative and production and a lowering of the standard of living to the whole nation.” Use of tlic Radio On the motion of Mr. G. Buchanan, the following motion was also Carried unanimously:—“That this meeting protests strongly to the Government that any publicly-paid official should make statements regarding the farmers of this country which are absolutely untrue and detrimental to the farmers.”

Mr. W. Mclnnes, Paletonga, proposed:—"This meeting objects strongly to the use of radio stating the Government’s case only, the chief offenders, it is felt, being tire commercial stations. We suggest to all farmers that they should give preference to those firms not advertising over the air.” •