Waimarino farmers travel to Wellington for big rural march

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 47, 6 May 1986, Page 15

Waimarino farmers travel to Wellington for big rural march

About 80 Waimarino farmers, wives and other supporters went to Wellington last Wednesday for the farmers' march on Parliament. They chartered two buses which left at 6.30a.m. on Wednesday, while others went by private car, and a few from the Parapara went to Wanganui and by bus from there. Doug Bennett, past president of the Waimarino branch of Federated Farmers, said the march was dramatic and well worth the effort.

"The large numbers that turned up strengthened the hand of Federated Farmers, showed that farmers are behind their leaders and their policies are supported by the farmers," said Mr Bennett. He said he walked alongside Ross Brown as they walked up Lambton Quay and they watched the people 's faces, standing two and three deep on the footpath. "They were all looking as if the march made them think about what are the farmers on about," he said.

Mr Bennett found the march a very impressive experience as it was the first time he had ever been in such a large crowd. The latent power of such a large group surprised him. He said the march was quiet, orderly and disciplined, and he was sure there was more than the official count of 10,000. Some came from as far away as Southland. Mr Bennett said that there were many women, possibly a quarter of the whole march.