Britain’s Farmers ‘Seething’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30741, 4 May 1965, Page 17

Britain’s Farmers ‘Seething’

(Special Crspdt. NZ PA) LONDON, May 3. A lively day is in prospect for Mr Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister, on Thursday. In addition to keeping an eye on a controversial debate on

steel in the Commons, with defeat of the Government a possibility when the House divides, be is also meeting representatives of the National Farmers’ Union at a “working dinner.” They are said to be still “ ;ething with anger” over the Government’s annual price review. According to their president, Sir Harold Woolley, “industrial action” is not ruled out if Mr Wilson does not give them satisfaction with their meal. After a meeting of the union’s council, Sir Harold Woolley refused to discuss in detail the points which the farmers intend to put to Mr Wilson. Dry Powder “We must keep our powder dry,” he said, “but 1 am not going to include or exclude any course of action. We do not want to take it out on members of the public who are r.t themselves responsible for the situation. If one is forced to industrial action, it is never a pleasant business. “In all my experience 1 have not known a council meeting in which the state of mind and tempers of delegates was anything like it has been,” Sir Harold Woolley said. “There is no doubt that people in general, and the

Minister’s advisers too, are under-rating the strength of feeling. 1 am gravely alarmed because I have always endeavoured to work on the basis of a responsible partnership with whatever government is in power.

“This is going to be virtually impossible with the industry in the mood it is. The leadership has to represent the people who elected us. “It was very difficult for me to steer the council which was seething with anger. 1 do not despair that good sense can still prevail and enable us to go forward together. “I only hope something of real value may come of our meeting with the Prime Minister and that we shall not be put in a position of having to take action which we do not like. We are not going to bear what the Government has imposed upon us. “We want decisions from Mr Wilson which will enable us to break through the dismal economic situation into which the industry has been forced. We will not be deflected by the red herring that the only thing wrong with the industry is a structure which can be remedied by a long-term plan.” Mr Fred Peart, the Minister of Agriculture, has deplored attacks made on his policies by Sir Harold Woolley. The time for arguing over the individual items of the annual price review was over, he said. “We must get down to the joint task of working towards a policy for the long-term interest of agriculture.”