PLANS FOR ’MARCH TO PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 244, 13 July 1939, Page 8

PLANS FOR ’MARCH TO PARLIAMENT

Farmers’ Case To Be Put To Ministers

400 TO 500 MEN AND WOMEN TO PARADE

Between 4UO and 500 farmers and members of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union will march to Parliament House this afternoon and wait on the Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Lee Martin. One hundred of the deputation will be delegates attending the thirty-eighth annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the remainder will be delegates attending the annual conference of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union. <- At the Farmers’ Union conference yesterday, Mr. A. C. Cameron said that the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, was unable to receive a deputation today or Friday, because of pressure of business. When wharf labourers • could demand the presence of, and get, several Ministers to go down and meet them, surely the farmers could go to Parliament House and demand the presence of Mr. Savage or some of his Ministers.

Mr. W. A. Sheaf. Mr. Savage can find time to perambulate round New Zealand inspecting the manufacture of underwear and being kissed by manufacturers, he should be able to find time to meet us.

The president, Mr. W. W. Mulholland, said that Mr. Savage’s explanation was reasonable; he knew that lie was busy. Still, Mr. Savage could be told that their business was urgent and possibly it could be arranged for other Ministers to see the farmers. Mr. Waite, M.L.C, said that he believed that if the proper representations were made the Ministers would meet them. It would be difficult to get a room to hold 500. A delegate: What about the Legislative Council? Mr. Waite: It would be a very suitable place for some of the eloquent speakers I have heard today. Later, Mr. Mulholland announced that Mr. Fraser and Mr. Lee Martin would see the deputation at 4 p.m. today.