ECONOMY CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 8

ECONOMY CAMPAIGN.

; FARMERS AND PRIME MINISTER. i • ' VIEWS IN TARANAKI. A sequel to the deputation of farmers’ representatives who waited on Mr. Massey was heard at the meeting of the Taranaki executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday. A letter was received from the secretary ; of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, advocating that the Government should bring about an immediate reduction of taxation, retrenchment of departmental expenditure, and the abolition of preference to unionists. The letter asked the Taranaki executive to forward a resolution supporting . these measures direct to the Prime Minister, and also get the branches to pass resolutions on the same lines, and impress upon members of Parliament the great importance of the matter. The letter was sent after the deputation of farmers’ representatives had interviewed Mr. Massey. A further letter was received from the Dominion secretary on the same subject, asking that the executive should allow nothing in the nature of political action to occur, and that nothing should be done to create the impression that the union is seeking to either embarrass the Government or threaten political reprisals. It was found that already an attempt was being made to turn the action of the joint deputation of producers to political account, and it should be made clear that all the union was asking for was equality of sacrifice, rigid economy, and better labor conditions. Resolutions were received from the Manaia, O'akeho, Kaponga and Omata i branches of the union in support of the j proposals contained in the Dominion secretary’s letter. I The chairman said that it would not be | necessary to push the first matter, because evidently the result of the deputation

to the Prime Minister on the matter was being felt right through the country now. Mr. Massey had evidently got the “wind up” when rhe deputation had appeared, and had called them a lot of nice names, but since that he was doing just what the deputation had asked for, and was trying to retrench as much as possible. It was a general retrenchment that the deputation had asked for. Mr. Massey admitted that he had in view retrenchment, and had a committee set up oven while he was in England in connection with the matter. How could the deputation be wrong and be squealing in that case ? They did not know what doing. They saw the trouble that was "coming. Mr. Owen said that the circumstances were most peculiar. They had the war, the commandeer and then the increase in, the value of the land. Now that the value was gohig down they had a right to a reduction in taxation. A member: “Yes, but we had to win the war and pay for it.” The chairman said that Mr. Massey was meeting them in a way, and he thought that the deputation had done some good. On the motion of the president, it was decided to forward the replies from the various branches to the Dominion secretary io deal with.