Hearing promised on wool plan

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32956, 30 June 1972, Page 2

Hearing promised on wool plan

(Ndtw Zealand Press Association) \ WELLINGTON, June 29. The Government bad accepted the view of the “substantial majority” of farmers’ representatives that the wool marketing proposals should proceed, the Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) said today.

"The legislation is in the final stages of preparation, and the Government will ensure that interested parties will have ample tune to express their views,” he said in a statement after this morning’s caucus.

“The caucus will study the bill in its final form at its meeting next Thursday.

“The bill when introduced will be referred to a select committee to enable anyone who wishes to give evidence, to do so.” Mr Marshall said it was hoped the committee would begin hearings towards the middle of next month. Farmers meet In Palmerston North today a group of fanners adopted the title of the “New Zealand Woolgrowers Action Committee" at a meeting held to discuss the wool marketing scheme. More than 60 woolgrowers from throughout New Zealand were present, and they expressed strong feeling against the compulsory acquisition of the wool clip. The meeting unanimously decided to seek deferment of the legislation until growers had had the opportunity to make their views known.

“It is clear we have not been given all the facts or

the opportunity to seek clarification or express bur views on the compulsory purchase of wool,” a spokesman for the growers said at the. end of the meeting, from which the press was excluded. Mr J. B. Chrystall (Hawke’s Bay) was chairman of the meeting, at which an executive committee, to meet in Wellington next week, was elected. The committee is Messrs W. D. Mouat . (Hawke’s Bay), P. G. Clark (Rangitikel), H. J. Styles (South Canterbury), D. McNab (Wanganui), and T. J. Atchinson, jnr (Hawke’s Bay).

Mr O’Brien to sell farm fN.X. Prtsi Awciation) PALMERSTON NORTH, June 29. The leader of the New Democrat Party (Mr J. B. O’Brien) la selling his 74-acre Shannon farm and moving to Nelson. Mr O’Brien is the Nelson electorate candidate for the party and will be engaged full-time in campaigning for the General Election.