FACING CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 99, 29 April 1939, Page 13

FACING CRISIS.

SHEEPFARMERS ACT. INDUSTRY'S SERIOUS PLIGHT. COST AND RETURN GAP. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. "In view of the crisis facing the sheepfarmers of the country, we must drop routine business and discuss the situation," said Mr. R. K. Campbell, chairman of the Hawke's Bay executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at a meeting of the executive at Hastings yesterday. "We, as an executive, are here to watch the farmers' interests," he continued. "and as a lead is not forthcoming from the head office we must take the initiative in Hawke's Bay. "The position of the sheepfarmer was never more hopeless. Are we simply going to sit stiil and wf.tch the industry collapse?" lie asked. "We see the Government establish secondary industries one after the other, when not ono article manufactured will be sent overseas." "At a farmers' meeting in the South Island it was suggested that the farmers should go out on strike," said Mr. C. R. Ldgecome. This may or may not be practicable, but it is intolerable to go on working long hours ami find the ground cut from beneath our feet. It is better to work the 40-hour week when taxation costs have got to their present level and markets for some of our products have been prejudiced against us." The following resolution was carried: J hat this executive meeting records its opposition to the guaranteed price as a solution of the problems facing the primary producer, and it emphasises that tho disparity between cost and return must be met." It was further resolved to take direct action bv convening a meeting of producers to discuss the situation.