FARMERS’ PLANS DEFINITE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24750, 15 December 1945, Page 8

FARMERS’ P LANS DEFINITE

OTAGO PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

CONSTITUTIONAL ACTION MENTIONED

(ILA.) DUNEDIN, December 14. Too much had already appeared throughout" the Dominion concerning the pMns of farmers to halt the drift towards the socialism and economic chaos that was the declared policy of the Government, said Mr J. S. Hunt, president of the recently-formed Otago executive of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, at a meeting'held this morning. It was to be deplored, he said, that the secretary of the Federation of Labour had commented that the executive of his federation was merely amused at the plans being prepared by farmers to halt this move. The president of the South Canterbury Farmers’ Union mifst have been speaking on his own account when he suggested that there should be more co-opera-tion by farmers and a willingness to understand the attitude of the Government. said Mr Hunt.

“We consider there has already been the fullest co-operation possible on the farmers' part, and as for understanding, the Government’s attitude we feel that this is now one of land confiscation.’’ he added.

Farmers were also "merely amused" st the reply of the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) concerning the taking over of one of the largest stock and station agency firms. He had stated that he knew nothing about such a plan, but he had given the farmers the same reply. said Mr Hunt, when asked last _ July about the Government’s intentions concerning the country quota. Federated Farmers was rapidly being built into a powerful organisation, and its influence would be used for the benefit of the country' as a whole, declared Mr Hunt. It was no reflection on the farmer that he was now determined to take a strong stand, but rather a reflection on the Government for tolerating “a politically-diseased minority in their controlling authority namely. Ihe Federation of Labour." Farmers’ plans were definite, and if they had to be put into operation this •would be done at a time suitable to the farmer, and not to the Government.

“Our plans are constitutional. We do not believe in unconstitutional action.” said Mr Hunt. "Should action ever be tskcn in this country, it will be the result of a spontaneous outburst by a majority of the neoplc: and not merely from a section.” Mr Hunt’s remarks were unanimously approved by the meeting, which was attended by more than 20 delegates.