Protest by Mr Begg

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32967, 13 July 1972, Page 1

Protest by Mr Begg

The chairman of the Wool Board (Sir John Acland) tonight offered the Board’s full co-operation to the new president of Federated Farmers (Mr Bruce Dryden) and said in a statement that he was sorry the former president, Mr A. C. Begg, could not support the proposed wool marketing scheme. Mr Begg today withdrew his nomination for a further term as president of Federated Farmers in protest at what he claimed was haste by the Wool Board in pushing for the wool marketing legislation. Mr Begg said that the rights of Federated Farmers’ members had been infringed because they had not had adequate opportunity to study the marketing proposals. He said that farmers opposed to the scheme had been denied their chance to object. Sir John Acland tonight disputed some of Mr Begg’s claims. He said that he had never known a statutory organisation to examine any proposal at greater length. •*We have consulted frankly and freely with farmers’ representatives all the way. They have responded frankly, mainly urging strong action by the board.” Sir John Acland said that the acquisition scheme was proposed last August, and that the board has been convinvced that acquisition from July, 1973, was essential. The reasons had been well published, he said. Board members had attended more than 40 meetings and there had been abundant press coverage. *Any interested fanner has had, and still has, opportunity to study the question and express his views. The board will continue to provide information.

*The plan is a good plan, vital to the country and solidly supported by the elected representatives of the farmers. I am sorry Mr Begg cannot support it also,” Said Sir John Acland. After his election as the new president of Federated Farmers, Mr Dryden, of Waverley, said he believed that most woolgrowers favoured the cor-

poration. In what has been considered by observers at a split within the federation, Mr Dryden has opposed the views of Mr Begg. He said that farmers should have had time to assess the case by now and they would have adequate opportunity to offer their opinions to the Govemment on the legislation.