Farmers' protest

Press, 4 August 1987, Page 16

Farmers' protest

Sir,—As a spokesman for the group of protesting farmers during our Prime Minister's visit to Rangiora, I would wish to make the following points: (1) We were reduced to protesting because consultation had failed. (2) We did not seek, and do not want subsidies. (3) The combination of record inflation rates and record interest rates — both running at levels many times higher than our trading partners — has put many fanners and manufacturers into a disastrous financial position. Some have fallen already; a large proportion are only just hanging on. If this group is to survive, the incoming government must halve interest rates and reduce input costs; for example, remove road user taxation from diesel used in tractors, halving the cost and allowing farmers to purchase at prices similar to our competitors in Australia. Indeed, no-one in our districts owns a Range-Rover, or wants to. — Yours, etc., BEN ENSOR, Delegate, Sefton and Districts Federated Farmers. July 30, 1987. Sir,—With reference to Mr Lange’s comments on the farmers who protested when he came to Rangiora on July 28, I wish to state that I do not believe in subsidies, nor do I own or aspire to own a Range-Rover. I would suggest his time would be better spent dealing with our economic problems than unleashing sarcastic comments on anyone who holds a view contrary to his own. — Yours,' etc JAMES LUNDY. Rangiora, July 30, 1987.