EXPORT OF MEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1941, Page 3

EXPORT OF MEAT

POLICY CRITICISED VOTE OF CENSURE PASSED ON MINISTER. ATTITUDE OF OTAGO FARMERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 3. A vote of no-confidence in the Minister of Marketing, Mr Barclay, was moved at the annual conference of the Otago. Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union, but after a long discussion in criticism of the Government's policy over the meat export question and of the Minister’s attitude at a recent conference with high-country farmers in Dunedin, the motion was amended to one of censure and this was unanimously carried in the following form: — “That this conference expresses strong disapproval at the action of the Minister of Marketing for his failure to honour the contract of the Government to purchase all exportable meat produced this season and his failure to give any adequate information on the Government’s meat purchase policy for next season.”

Several members expressed the opinion that it was a pity to single out the Minister of Marketing for a vote of no-confidence, for he was but the mouthpiece of the Government, and other members of Cabinet had equal responsibility for the failure to honour the promise made to farmers. During his address Mr W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president, said Mr Barclay's statement that the Government has come to the aid of sheepfarmers to the extent of £5,000,000 had unintentionally created a wrong impression. It appeared to imply that the money was in the form of a subsidy, whereas it was for goods supplied by farmers as per contract.