FARMERS RESIGN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29749, 16 February 1962, Page 10

FARMERS RESIGN

Cotton Mill Protest

( N.Z. Press Association) NELSON, Feb. 15.

Three members of Federated Farmers tendered their resignations to the Nelson executive meeting of the organisation today over the cotton mill issue. They were Messrs J. A. Holdaway and E. Clemence, of Wakefield, and D. J. Tomlinson, of Ngatamoti. Two of the three letters of resignation were read in open meeting, but the letter from Mr Holdaway was taken in committee on the recommendation of the chairman (Mr M. A. Palmer) who said it would be a pity to publish part of the letter as that would be unfortunate for the organisation. One of the other letters said that “in view of the pressure exerted by Federated Farmers on the Government” the writer had decided to resign. Mr Palmer said he would make no apologies for the representations that the federation had made to the Government.

He took a “dim view” of accusations concerning pressure.

“We have a perfect right to approach the Government on legislation that affects us,” he said, “but it should be remembered that Federated Farmers did hot make the decision. They only added to the weight of other interested bodies.”