CALL ON PRODUCERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 6

CALL ON PRODUCERS

MEETING WAR DEMANDS

MR Hl MORRISON OUTLINES POSITION.

CONFIDENCE IN WAIRARAPA FARMERS.

Referring at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ [lnion, to the Masterton District Primary Production Council which had been set up, Mr Hugh Morrison (president) said that in his opinion the council was now functioning very satisfactorily.

“As you are aware the British Government has asked New Zealand for more production of primary products —which represents dairy products, meat, and wool. These are the particular lines for which increased production is definitely sought for war purposes,” said Mr Morrison. “I feel certain that the farmers in this province will do their utmost to meet the wishes of the Imperial Government, seeing that it is so essential now, owing to the countries from which England previously received a considerable amount of her food supplies being cut off—-for example, the Baltic States and Denmark. I wish to explain here that this council does not enter into any matters that are controversial. For example, if we took this action it would be unnecessary to have such organisations as the Farmers’ Union and the Sheepowners' Federation and this executive would almost cease to function. . . “Our duty is plain,” said Mr Morrison. “It is the duty of every farmer. We are asked to produce more, and if I know the farmers of the Wairarapa I have every confidence in them, that they will make every effort to carry out this great duty for the Empire. Now let us for a few moments just look at what we owe the Imperial Government. Firstly, without the British Navy to defend us, we would be in a hopeless position, and probably might come under a foreign yoke and lose our British freedom. Secondly, the amount that this Dominion has to pay for this protection is a very small percentage of the actual cost, and if we had to pay our real proportion it would be a huge amount. We farmers appreciate the valtu* of this naval protection of which Britain pays for 80 per cent. Thirdly, without the British convoys (which operate free of charge for the Dominions) we would be unable to forward our primary produce and it would mean bankruptcy to the whole Dominion. Fourthly, there has been a suggestion by some, that England should give a guarantee of prices for ten years after the war is over. This I think, is an unreasonable request, because our duty today is to win the war, and when we are victorious and we have established what we are fighting for —our democratic freedom—then we can give our attention to the less important matter. Fifthly, our Second Expeditionary Force has gone overseas and as one who saw them parade in Wellington, I have no hesitation in saying that they were a very fine body of New Zealanders and we can well be proud of them, as well as of the others who are to follow. I know that every farmer in this province lealises that when a Division is in the field it must be provided for and Jt is up to us to do our job and see that our boys are assured of the necessary supplies. Finally,” said Mr Morrison, “Britain to my mind has given us a reasonable price for our produce. We do no+ want to make great profits out of the war, but it is necessary that if we are going to produce more as we are asked to do then we should get enough to meet our own costs. I might ■ here say, that it is probable that when the war is over we might return to quotas and the greater our production the larger will be our future quota. I am sure that the farmers will do their utmost in this great crisis to provide the food and clothing that is so necessary to ensure final victory.” „,J n n d,?ta * or countrie s the farmer is not allowed to produce what for him would be most profitable, and he nas no say in selling or buying his own pioduce, and let us remember here in democracy that extreme force is not n P t °V S ' AU lhat lhe « asked to do is to look at his own farm and think out for himself what he can do for the benefit of the Empire. I feel sure that he will do this and he will not talk about it, but will sit down quietly and consider the ways and means at his disposal, and when he has thought that out-he might not I V krow e ih'° n - ]t l ° anybody ’ because I know this is my own inclination—ne will go on with this job and do his share as a true Britisher in what per , l ? aps ’ as the years go on, might be a difficult situation, and I know tha< mJhe end he will have the satisfac-“ tion of knowing that he has done his best and can do no more.”