Forced sales action

Press, 30 July 1986, Page 1

Forced sales action

PA Wellington As a first step in its brink-of-the-law campaign, Federated Farmers has given its members instructions on how legally to disrupt mortgagee sales. The federation’s president, Mr Peter Elworthy, said yesterday the federation’s lawyers worked out guidelines on what kind of action could be taken without breaking the law. Details are being kept secret, but possible protests include picketing sales and making “silly” bids. “It’s a sort of checklist we want to maintain in confidence for members,” Mr Elworthy said. The checklist has already been sent to farmers for use when defaulting farmers oppose forced sale of their farms and call on federation support. Mr Elworthy said- the threat of legal protest action outlined should be enough to stop advertised mortgagee sales from proceeding. Federation branch officials would be able to talk lenders out of going through with forced sales.

Farmers were also working on communication networks so that a national call for a boycott, or a farmer refusal to meet some payment felt unfair, could be implemented quickly and effec-