Farmers plan big Timaru meeting

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 2

Farmers plan big Timaru meeting

By

HUGH STRINGLEMAN,

v Farm editor A big public meeting organised for Monday, March 3, in Timaru was an eruption of the pressure on the rural community, the president of Federated Fanners, Mr Peter Elworthy, told Christchurch Rotarians yesterday. “City people are generally unaware of the extraordinary stress that is on New Zealand farming and the rural community,” he said. The latest manifestation of these pressures, he said, was the launching of rural-sector concern groups by women, and the urgency with which public protest meetings were being organised. The South Canterbury section of Federated Fanners had become involved in Monday’s public meeting, to be held at the Caroline Bay Sound Shell from 1.30 p.m. “The rally will be a responsible, communitysupported evidence of the depth of feeling and concern, and anger and feelings of helplessness- out there,” said Mr Elworthy. The federation had supported the moves made in the economy to lower (he exchange rate, interest rates, and the rate of inflation. But the Government had failed to control its own spending, and had lost the opportunity of success, which might have appeared possible before Christmas, in these three areas.

“Now the forces of discontent and unhappiness are likely to be let loose as rural people, observing other sectors of the economy going for the 30 per cent—plus increase in earnings, struggle with their own 30 per cent decrease, or more,” said Mr Elworthy. The rally will be addressed by Mr Elworthy and the Mayor of Waimate, Mr David Owens, as well as women’s representatives, and representatives of manufacturers.

An organiser, Mr Gerald Pemberton, said the rally was for the wider rural community and not just farmers. “It is not only farmers who are being hurt in South Canterbury,” he said.

“For instance, the sales of the local fertiliser works were down 71 per cent last month compared with the previous January, and a local engineering firm has reduced staff to one-quarter of the previous level.” “With this rally we will be telling the Government that its economic policies are hurting all of us,” he said.