MR. HOLLAND AND FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 5

MR. HOLLAND AND FARMERS.

SUDDEN FRIENDLINESS. COMMENT BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DARGAVILLE, this day. "I have been much interested in one new feature of the speeches recently delivered by the Leader of the Opposition) and that is his sudden professed anxiety for the welfare of the primary producers," said Mr. Coates last night. "In this connection may I ask him one question: Why did he not display the same concern some eighteen months ago in connection with the transport of the farmers' produce to the Home markets} On that occasion Mr. Holland was not 60 anxious as to the effect of the disastrous shipping strike on the dairy producers. I can say deliberately today that one of the main causes of so much of our butter accumulating in store in London last year was the shipping strike, which led to a complete disorganisation of vital transport arrangements.

"In addition there was the great coal strike at Home, which had a very direct bearing on the demand for our dairy produce. Mr. Holland said nothing and did nothing that contributed to a reasonable attitude being pursued in that connection, nor do I remember any public repudiation by him of the notorious Mr. Cook, whom we know now was closely in touch with Moscow throughout that lamentable industrial crisis.

"I suggest that our citizens, whether in country or town, should pause very carefully before seriously listening to the proposals of the Labour party, which Mr. Holland enunciates in the direction of Government control of the handling and distribution of foodstuffs. Such proposals are closely related U> the already notorious planks of the Socialist platform, namely, the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange—a policy in my judgment fraught with danger, particu- j larly to an agricultural and pastoral country like New Zealand." ,