RALLY OF FARMERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1927, Page 10

RALLY OF FARMERS

THE UNION'S CAMPAIGN

ENTHUSIASM AT DANNEVIRKE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DANNEVIRKE, This Day

A monster farmers' rally, embracing the district from "Woodville to Hastings, was held in the Dannevirke Town Hall last evening in continuation of the farmers' union campaign to enlighten townspeople of the conditions which the farmers have at prosent to conted with and to enlist their sympathy. The speakers included the Mayor, Mr. A. J. C. Runciman, and Mr. "VY. J. Poison, president of the Dominion Farmers' Union, General Sir Andrew Russell, and Mr. J. S. Jessep, vice-chairman of the Meat Board.

In the course of his,address, Mr. Polson touched on the high cost of production, the necessity of reducing the taxation of farmers, financial assistance, the exploration of new markets, tariff reform, and labour problems. ' He advocated a square deal for the farmer, and said that if the town and country people pulled together they •would be able to get legislation passed, which would right the present -.-wrongs. Sir Andrew Russell said that the standard of life was what they could dig out of the soil, that and nothing else. The farmers did not want to pay lower wages, but wanted a better reward for what they paid—a bigger output. He touched on the necessity for cheap money, better' knowledge of farming, hard work, and thrift. Mr. Jessep commented upon the present unemployment, which he said was a crying shame, and attributed the blame largely to the Arbitration Couri, which lie said had outlived its usefulness and had become merely a wageiixing Court without regard to whether an industry could stand increases or not.

Eesolutions were carried similar to those at the "Wanganui rally in December, referring to security of labour, economy in public expenditure, and a reduction of taxation, rural finance and markets. '

Cheers for Mr. Poison, and the sineing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" concluded an enthusiastic meeting. A branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union was formed during the afternoon.