“NOT ON THE RUN”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20509, 27 May 1938, Page 8

“NOT ON THE RUN”

REMARKS RESENTED PRIME MINISTER AND FARMERS REPLY TO MR J. H. FURNISS (By Teletfraoh.—Pross A’sociMlon) WELLINGTON, Thursday. “During an address to the Farmers’ conference yesterday Mr J. H. Fur-ni-ss, of Huntly, a member of the Dominion executive of the Farmers’ Union, is reported as having stated that my presence at the conference was an indication that the Government was on the run because of the alleged aggressive attitude of some members of the Farmers’ Union,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, in a Press statement to-day. “For the benefit of Mr Furniss and others who may be misled by his statement, I desire to make it known that I attended the conference at the invitation of those who were responsible for the conference for the purpose of performing the opening ceremony. I was received by the delegates with the utmost courtesy and I see no reason for running, even after having read Mr Furniss’ remarks. “I have told the farmers on many occasions prior to the last general election and since that they were entitled to an equitable share of the total production of the Dominion from ail sources, whatever the overseas prices may be like. That is in line with the policy of the Government and we will live up to it.

“The duty- of any tribunal that may he appointed will be to decide what Ihe share is to be after having taken all relevant facts into consideration.”