FIGHT TO END

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 4, 5 July 1939, Page 12

FIGHT TO END

KUKU FARMERS

TAKING OF LAND

VIGOROUS PROTEST

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

"We are not going to take this thing lying down. The only time we will be lying down will be behind sandbags," declared Mr. H. J. McLeavey, of Ohau, president of the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers' Uv'xon, when that body had before it a resolution of protest regarding the ■Government's proposal to take Kuku land for market gardens.

"What do they think we are?" he asked. "Are we a suppressed people in a suppressed country? As a boy I read about pirates and the Kelly gang, but nothing those people did equals this. We are a peace-loving people and as such we want to remain, but if they try to take our land the fight is on."

Mr. McLeavey added that he could not understand why the beautiful Hutt Valley soil should be covered with houses.' It was senseless when land at Tawa Flat growing gorse would make ideal homes just as near the city. Kuku was a dairying country and not altogether suited to vegetable growing. He saw the day ahead when it would be a deserted village if the Government went ahead. Vegetables could be grown there for a year or two only owing to diseases and the soil giving out. The Chinese.had proved that. Mr.. McLeavey said he had been through the Act.and had found that the Government had no power to take j small holdings for subdivision except | by special legislation. Other members of the executive were just as emphatic in voicing protests. The fear was expressed that there was no knowing where the Government would stop. Settlers had worked hard to make the farms what they were today, and were annoyed at being told to get out without a warning. Members stated that there was plenty of land available by private treaty if the Government only made inquiries. Arguments similar to those advanced at the protest meeting at Ohau were reiterated, and finally the following motion was carried amidst applause:— 'That this executive very strongly protests against the arbitrary manner in which confiscation of Kuku farm lands has been brought about. We feel that a very serious principle is at stake, and that this action of the Government vitally affects every farmer in New Zealand. We state emphatically that if the security of tenure of farm lands is to be interfered with in this manner the union should take every step, even including direct action, to put a stop to such treatment of farmers." (Other reports dealing with this subject appear on Page 6.)