Agriculture a ‘major election issue’

Press, 22 June 1984, Page 21

Agriculture a ‘major election issue’

PA Wellington Federated Farmers says agriculture will be a major election issue because of its importance to the economic development of New Zealand.

Federated Farmers’ senior vice-president, Mr Peter Elworthy, said the election would be won or lost in rural New Zealand. He said farmers would be kept informed of the agricultural policies of each party in their manifestoes.

“In the two manifestoes (New Zealand Party and Social Credit) released so far there have been a pleasing number of innovative ideas and we will be looking to the two major parties for

their thoughts in these areas and their policies to ensure a low inflation rate for New Zealand,” Mr Elworthy said.

Federated Farmers recently called for more deregulation of the economy and relaxation of protectionist trade barriers if agriculture was to prosper and earn more for New Zealand.

“One of the major constraints on the New Zealand economy is a lack of foreign exchange. We are confident that if the barriers preventing agriculture from prospering at present are removed, it can continue to play a major role in earning additional overseas exchange,” said Mr Elworthy.

That included a realistic exchange rate.