INDIGNANT FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 162, 10 July 1924, Page 7

INDIGNANT FARMERS.

m HON. NOSWORTHY'S ATTACK. FERTILISER CO. DEFENDED. At the meeting of the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union; this week strong exception was taken to the attitude of the Minister of Agriculture towards the Country party, and his attack upon the Farmers' Fertiliser Co. The matter was brought up by Mr. A. M. Macky, who moved the following resolution: —(1) "That the Auckland Provincial Executive lof the New Zealand Farmers' Union dei sires to express its approval of the action of the Industrial Association in reprobating any attempt to curtail freedom of thought and political action in this Dominion, as evidenced by the statement of the Minister of Agriculture in dealing in Parliament with the price of manures; (2) That this Executive 1 strongly protests against the action of the Minister of Agriculture in making an attack on the Country party 1 through an ordinary business concern." !In speaking to the resolutions he said he did not often get excited, but his blood boiled when he read Mr. Nosworthy's attack on a loyal body of men. He was glad to see that the Industrial Association had seen fit to see that justice was done. The president explained that the resolution passed by the association was as follows: "That this association, judging from Press reports, regrets that the Minister of Agriculture should attack an industry, presumably on account of the political opinion of interested parties, and further regrets that such an attack snouid be launched : against a particular company, without * the Minister satisfying himself that such cohipany was charging rates in excess of those charged by other similar concerns." He seconded the motion moved by Mr. Macky. Mr. C. C. Munro expressed pleasure at* the passing of the resolution by the Industrial Association, it showed what the people thought of the attack on the company. Mr. J. Trewin was surpris"d to react the remarks of the Minister, and he remarked that it was generally accepted that "when anyone squealed t ey suffered, and it looked as if the Minister was hurt." / Messrs. Allen, Oudaille and Gooseman all declared tbat the prices charged by the company were reasonable. i Very Small Increase. I Mr. A. A. Ross snid he was not very ! "riled" when he . read the Minister's remarks, because Mr. Nosworthy j had overshot the riiark. But he. apparently, had deliberately threatened to cut off supplies' if the farmers started the Country Party. Tt was a very serious thing for a •Minister to make such a threat. To show what the price actually was, he pointed out that just before the war the rate, for 36-38 sup-ir was £4 15/. To-day the price for the same manure was £5 '2/6, an increase of 7 per cent. In contrast with th s increase he pointed out to the meecin' the' extra costs of production mvi lved in wages, income tax, harbour dues, etc., I and claimed that the charges made were lair and reasonable. I The motions were then put to the | meeting and carried unanimously. i At another stage in the meeting the executive decided to await the decision of the Dominion Conference before select- ', ing Country Party candidates for the Auckland Province.