SMALL FARMS BILL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 7

SMALL FARMS BILL

ALARM IN HAWKE’S BAY (By Telegrapti.—Pr*ss Association) HASTINGS, Monday A reply to a statement by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, when he declared the intention of the Government to proceed with the Small Farms Amendment Bill, was made by the Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union, Mr A. P. O’Shea, when addressing a mass meeting of farmers at Hastings. The meeting unanimously passed the following resolution:—“That this meeting views with alarm the powers which the Government is seeking under the Small Farms Amendment Bill. These powers are in excess of the powers which should be asked for by any democratic Government—especially the invasion of constitutional rights v/hich is contemplated in the bill. In the interests of that national unity which is so necessary during the present crisis, we urge the Government to withdraw the bill, which, should it become law,

can only lead to class animosity. Further, we pledge the farmers of Hawke’s Bay to work unremittingly toward the drawing up of a scheme of land settlement for returned soldiers which will be fair to everyone.”

CALLED TOO DRASTIC (By Telegrapß.—Press Association) GISBORNE, Monday A spirited protest against the Small Farms Amendment Bill was made at a representative meeting of farmers. The following resolution was passed: “While this meeting is entirely in agreement with the principles of closer settlement on sound lines, more especially for the rehabilitation of returned soldier's, it is of the opinion that the suggested bill is altogether too drastic and strikes at certain fundamental rights of the individual: the Lands for Settlement Act, with certain modifications to meet modern conditions, is adequate; the safeguards in the Act are essential to the maintenance of justice and the best interests of the farming community and the Dominion as a whole, and the passage of the bill at the present time must seriously disturb the security of farmers in their business, and thereby detrimentally react against the Dominion’s war effort.”