Opposition to wool plan ‘strengthened’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33580, 8 July 1974, Page 12

Opposition to wool plan ‘strengthened’

Opposition to compulsory acquisition of wool would have been strengthened by Government . moves to restore to the I Wool Marketing Corporat.on the right to seek acquisition powers without reference to growers by referendum, said Mr P. S. Plummer, a former Dominion president of Federated Farmers, last week. “The recent move by the : Government to pass legislation enabling the corporation Ito introduce compulsory (acquisition of all wool at any time it chooses, without consulting growers, shows the Labour Party up in its true colours,” said Mr Plummer. “This is nothing more than a further step along the road to nationalisation of our agricultural industries. “It is no doubt timed to influence farmers towards acquosition before the elec-

tions for the electoral committee of the Wool Board and for the Wool Board. But rather than influencing' [ farmers to support acquisi-. Ition of wool, the move will! [strengthen and increase the; i anti-acquisition ranks. “The large majority of! farmers who were against! acquisition last year are' more determined than ever

ito prevent this form of marketing being forced on them. [We are convinced that 'orderly marketing under a! I competitive system is the; best for the industry,” Mj? 'Plummer said. In February, 1973. wool-: growers had held a referendum and had decided by a two-thirds majority that they did not want acquisition. he said. This had been , overwhelmingly endorsed six months later when in the; ; largest poll held in such! I elections. anti-acquisition i (supporters gained 18 of the' 25 seats on the electoral(committee of the Wool; I Board. “This year’s elections are now taking place — and it is significant that of the 18 anti-acquisition candidates who gained seats last year, 14 have been re-elected unopposed this year,” Mr Plummer said. “I can assure the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Moyle) and his Parliamentary colleagues that we are not wavering, we are not undecided, we are more than ever convinced that orderly marketing of wool can be achieved and, in fact, is being achieved without compulsorv acquisition of the; total clip,” he said. i