A CABBAGE CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1943, Page 3

A CABBAGE CRISIS

REMARKS IN HOUSE

EXPLANATION BY MEMBER

Remarks made by Mr. Ben Roberts, M.P., during the Budget debate in Parliament about the ploughing in of cabbages were taken exception to at the annual conference today of the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners, which asked Mr. Roberts, who was present, for an explanation. Mr. Roberts denied that he had said that cabbages were being dug in, and he suggested that instead of his apologising, those who sent the reports of his remarks to the newspapers should apologise to him.

The matter was raised by Mr. B. V. Cooksley, president of the conference, who mentioned the feeling that had been aroused among commercial gardeners by Mr. Roberts's remarks. He said that Mr. Roberts was said to have made remarks to the effect that "growers were ploughing in cabbages, and that anyone who did that was a monstrosity." Mr. Cooksley added that he had yet to learn of any case of cabbages being ploughed in except where they were not fit for human consumption.

Mr. M. McDougali (Pukekohe) mentioned also that Mr. .Roberts had referred also to the growers coming down'to Wellington and getting themselves in the "hands of people who were a little bit more intelligent." Mr. McDougali said Mr. Roberts was referring to the brokers. "That is a remark I take objection to," he said.

Mr. W. Billson (Christchurch) said there was no evidence in his district of cabbages or cabbage plants being ploughed in. It was the practice of growers to plant a few extra as a precautionary measure. Mr. J. J. Hume (Manawatu) said it was a most inopportune time for Mr. Roberts to make the statement he did. They took particular exception to the fact that the remarks were made over the air—many growers heard them— and were broadcast on short-wave outside the country. "The remarks were most unfair," said Mr. Hume. "I hope that the boys overseas who may have heard them did not get into their minds that we were trying to sabotage the growing of vegetables."

Mr. A. M. Brough (Nelson) referred to other statements attributed to Mr. Roberts suggesting that householders, after having satisfied their own and other available needs, should take their surplus vegetables to the shops. "How is the contract system going to line up with that?" he asked.

Another speaker mentioned statements made by the Mayor of Wellington about growing vegetables in suitable areas in the city and marketing them.

DENIAL BY MR. ROBERTS.

Mr. Roberts, in his reply, denied that he said that growers were ploughing their cabbages in. What he had said was, that he thought he should say something about reports that growers were ploughing them in. "We are engaged in national issues in the House," he continued, "and I had to give an account of my stewardship and reply to the barrage of newspaper propaganda which was trying to explain that growers were ploughing cabbages in. I maintain that I never said that growers were ploughing them in. "I should be sorry to see any hiatus in my efforts to help the industry. I want to see co-operation. It is not a question of my apologising. I want to know if the people who sent those remarks to the Press will apologise to a man who was doing his duty on the floor of the House, and who never said that."

Mr. Roberts said his attitude had been to get people to grow vegetables for themselves. He had made a special point of stating that they were not trying to start market gardens all over New Zealand.

Referring to the remarks about "more intelligent people," Mr. Roberts said he would like to see his Hansard proof. Mr. McDougall: So would I.

Mr. Roberts.- I don't wish to infer that the brokers are too intelligent for you. If any of the delegates think that I want to divide the industry they are making a big mistake. I have no ulterior motives. I want to see the industry get out of the hands of the brokers and those who are financing it, and into a co-operative organisation that will look after the growers and perhaps finance them.