FARMERS’ POLICY"

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 86, 5 January 1940, Page 11

FARMERS’ POLICY"

Reported Suggestion Of Non-Co-operation

MR. SAVAGE’S RETORT

Subversive Tendency Seen

A suggestion reported to have been made at a meeting of farmers in the Auckland province that as from January 1 a policy of economic non-co-operation should be adopted “as a protest against the policy that is preventing us from increasing production as required by the Imperial Government,” was criticized by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in an interview yesterday.

The meeting was reported to have been convened by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in the Auckland province. It was also recommended that tliis attitude be implemented by farm-

ers limiting purchases to bare neces-

saries, dispensing with non-essential transport, staying upon the farms, and making them as nearly as possible self-sufficient units for the support of I lie farmers and their families, such policy to remain in force “till the Government removes the handicaps now preventing us from carrying out the undertaking to the Imperial Government.”

Mr. Savage said that those who complained about not receiving sufficient for their produce should look at the risks taken by other people. He mentioned particularly the Navy ami the Merchant Service, who had to face the dangers of mines and torpedoes and other perils in transporting New Zealand's produce across the sea. “If you can find anything more disloyal mid with a greater subversive tendency than this resolution, I would like to hear it,” Mr. Savage said. The sailors were not asking for another shilling mi hour for the risks they look. The producers were given a fixed price," mid the whole of their produce had to be convoyed by the British Navy at no cost to the shipper, and in the event of any of New Zealand’s produce being sent to the bottom Hie farmer was still paid the full price for what he had produced.