RECENT FARMERS' RALLY

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 37, 13 February 1931, Page 13

RECENT FARMERS' RALLY

CRITICISM AT STRATFORD. DISCUSSION ' WAS NOT PERMITTED. INCONSISTENCY OF MOTIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. The recent rally of farmers at Hawera when numerous resolutions were passed commenting upon the political situatiou and, farming problems was criticised by the Stratford Chamber of Commerce yesterday, "I see that I am to report upon the rally," said the president, Mr. J. B. Richards, "but I am unable to do so for the simple reason that I did not attend. My reasons for not so were that no discussion was permissible on the numerous motions proposed, and, secondly, because I objected to the inconsistency of two motions. One demanded equality of opportunity for the farmer, with which I am fully in accord, but the other asked for special advantages to the same section of the community. The two are illogical." Mr. Richards said that in his opinion such an important rally should have had only one or two carefuly thoughtout and basically sound principles submitted to it upon which the fullest discussion should have been invited. If farmers were to be persuaded to formulate a few true principles and stick to them, then some forward progress might be expected, but to ask first for equality and then to demand privileges not likely to get the industry anywhere. Mr. Richards also said that if he had attended the rally, he, and the body he might have represented, would have become associated with the resolutions arrived at, although they would have been unable to voice any objections. In reply to a question Mr. Richards said he did not know why it had been so necessary to rush the business through. Mr. E. Marfell: The time at the disposal of the promoters would' not allow of discussions. Mr. Richards: Then they should have kept their motions to a smaller orbit and have allowed them to be discussed.