“FIGHT IS ON”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1939, Page 7

“FIGHT IS ON”

CASE FOR OHAU AND KUKU SETTLERS AGAINST SEIZURE OF LANDS. STRONG PROTEST BY FARMERS' UNION. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, July 5. _ ""Does the Government think it is dealing with a band of ignorant peasants? If it does, it will soon discover it is dealing with New Zealanders. Farmers in Ohau and Kuku areas, whose farms and homes are threatened, were never nearer revolution than they are today. Diggers, of whom lam one, are not going to take this lying down. The frame of mind these people are in is such that they intend sending a message to Mr Savage expressing the spirit of Mr Chamberlain’s message to Hc-rr Hitler. ‘We are peaceful people, but if you attempt to take our lands and homes the fight is on.’"' These words were used by the president of the Manawatu provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr H. J. McLeavey, today, when speaking to a remit forwarded from the Ohau branch, protesting against the seizure by the Government of farm lands for the purpose of creating a market gardening settlement in the district, on which to settle Hutt gardeners, whose holdings are being taken for housing purposes. There was a full attendance of delegates. and the remit led to possibly the most animated discussion in the history of the Manawatu executive. To the accompaniment of a chorus of "‘Hear, hears,” and applause, the meeting unanimously passed the following motion: — “That this executive very strongly protests against the arbitrary manner in which the confiscation of Kuku farm lands has been brought about. We feel that a very serious principle is at stake, and that this action of the Government vitally affects every farmer in New Zealand. We state emphatically that if the security of tenure of farm lands is to be interfered with in this manner,, the union should take every step, even including direct action, to put a stop to such treatment to farmers.”

“This is the most important remit ever brought before this executive, because, if the Government is able to take this land, there is no knowing where it will end,” said Mr W. H. Bowling, who submitted a protest from the Ohau branch against confiscation of Kuku farm lands without notice to or consent of the owners.