ISRAELIS ADMITTED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30610, 28 November 1964, Page 28

ISRAELIS ADMITTED

World Farm Group

(N.Z. Press Association)

ROTORUA, November 27. A long discussion preceded the admittance of an Israeli organisation to membership of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers, at present holding its world conference in Rotorua. The federation for the first time admitted to membership an organisation from a country where farming is carried out on a co-operative rather than an individual basis, with the acceptance of Merkaz Hakiayi, the farmers’ section of the Israeli Agricultural Workers’ Organisation.

This was announced this morning by the SecretaryGeneral of 1.F.A.P., Mr R. F. Savary. The decision had been taken only after a long discussion Which had centred on whether a precedent would be created.

Many delegates had said they would hesitate to admit to membership countries which carried out collective farming of the socialistic type, said Mr Savary. If such a country had applied for membership it would no doubt spark off a heated debate. Israel’s farmers were not strictly State controlled, said Mr Savary. The State owned the land, but it was farmed with individual methods and policies.

The highest of distinctions is service to others.—George VI.