PRICES FOR PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 15

PRICES FOR PRODUCE

DETHRONED "WOOL KINGS'

Ono of the results of t.he slump, said Mr. W. H. Field, Coalition candidate for Otaki,'speaking at Taitajast evening, was a better understanding between town and country. "It was always imagined," he said, "that the majority of the farmers were making much money, but tho condition of the farmers to-day is such as to disprove statements like that utterly. The farming industry must bo puetiuragod and helped. How they are going to pull through remains to bo seen." They were in arrears with their payments in the South Island, he said, and in parts of tho North Island many of the large ruiiholdcrs—"wool kings" as they had a],ways been called —hardly owned a peiiny piece. The banks and. stock agents "-bo wero financing them had

rationed them in the most rigid way to tho strictest economy. Many had to live without cars and without servants. A voice: "What a shame!"

Mr. Meld: "It is right that they should have to economise; many people will have to: economise far more than they are doing to-day."

Later, tho candidate referred to the relief given farmers in connection with rates, and he expressed the opinion that there should bo a re-valuation ot" the whole land of the country. (Hear, hear.)