THE UNEMPLOYMENT ACT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 364, 13 November 1930, Page 5

THE UNEMPLOYMENT ACT.

STRONG OPPOSITION.

By Matamata District Farmers.

A remarkable rush of about 200 farmers and others to the platform to sign a petition expressing strong opposition to the Unemployment Act occurred in the Matamata Town Hall on Friday night at the conclusion of a meeting convened for that purpose.

The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic ever held in Matamata and over 300 people were present, the largest proportion being farmers from the district extending to Putaruru and Morrinsville.

At the outset, Mr. D. B. Higgins, who presided, emphasised that the district was very serious over various matters. He had practically lived on the telephone since the idea of the meeting was suggested to him. He had received telegrams from as far as North Auckland and Taumarunui, and he believed it might crystalise the feelings of farmers throughout the Dominion. The meeting was called because farmers had requested him to oppose the poll tax. He had told them it was too late, but the reply had been “ Better late than never.” He had been asked to lead them and had been told to go to prison if necessary. He was prepared to do that if they went with him. (Loud applause.) New Zealand was warned several years ago, said Mr. Higgins, that Great Britain was returning to the gold standard, but the idea was pooh-poohed. Instead the country preferred to take advantage of the drought in Australia and Argentine. Instead of setting the house in order legislators continued along the old lines and were now in trouble. There were 27,000 fewer farmers to-day than a few years ago, yet public servants, men on public works, and other such employees, had increased. He held that there should be no unemployment in New Zealand if matters were properly conducted. “ The cow cannot stand it any longer,” stated the speaker. “Three teats have gone bad and the blind one is all that is left for the farmer. (Laughter). This was not a local move of opposition, for he had received over 30 telegrams from various parts congratulating, the Matamata branch on its stand. The principle of the Act was wrong and he thought an amendment was needed. The present Government could not be blamed for all of the trouble, for the country was warned in 1925.

The speaker then read the following resolution which had been given to him and which was received with applause:— “That this meeting of farmers in the Matamata district views with dismay the apparent indifference of the Government to the desperate condition of the exporting industries, and as a protest against the continual additions, instead of removal, of the crushing burdens of direct and indirect taxation that have been placed on those engaged in_ the exporting primary industries, each farmer present here pledges himself to refuse to pay the poll tax to be levied under the Unemployment Act.” Mr. Higgins said the resolution might be late, but the GovernorGeneral had power of repeal and amendment. On a seconder being called for half a dozen voices responded.

Mr. W. H. Allen thought Mr. Higgins should be complimented on the great attendance that night. If farmers sent their own members to Parliament they might get somewhere, but if they “ shallied ” about they would get nowhere. The Farmers’ Union had always acted in a constitutional manner, but the present resolution urged that the law be broken. He felt that such a resolution should have been passed months ago, when the Farmers’ Union had urged to that effect. Now that the Act was passed he thought they should confine their resolution to objections. Mr. Simpson moved an amendment that the word “ object ” be substituted for the word “ refuse.” Mr. Rollett seconded the amendment. Mr. G. Fitzgerald suggested that the meeting should be constructive and -.put forward an alternative. He thought they would get a fair hearing. Mr. Higgins reiterated that there should be no desire to work on any but constitutional lines. It was for the meeting to say, however, what they wanted. He had an amendment to the last clause which pledged farmers to oppose payment. It was:— “ Those present pledge themselves (Continued in Next Column)

to demand the repeal of the tax under its present form and emphatically protest against any money in form of sustenance allowance being paid without work, and urge immediate action by Cabinet to relieve the pressure upon the primary producer to enable him to carry on. A decision to the petition is requested immediately, as the primary producer intended to organise meetings throughout the Dominion with a view to deciding what action is to be adopted.” The amendment moved by Messrs. Simpson and Rollett then lapsed by common consent, and the above long amendment was carried amid much enthusiasm and with only two or three dissentient voices. Further discussion resulted in a decision to sign the resolution before it was forwarded to the Prime Minister. In regard to a deputation, Mr. J. W. Anderson moved that Mr. Higgins and two others form a deputation to go to Wellington with reference to the petition. This was agreed to. A collection in sixpences and shillings to assist in defraying expenses realised £7 12s.