FARMERS’ RESOLUTION ON MR NASH

Evening Star, Issue 23725, 5 November 1940, Page 6

FARMERS’ RESOLUTION ON MR NASH

REPLY FROM PRIME MINISTER CABINET NOT IMPRESSED [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 4. A letter was sent to the New Zealand Dairy Board to-day by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in reply to one which he received from the board a few days ago conveying to him two resolutions carried at the Dominion Dairy Conference last week. The text of Air Fraser’s letter is as follows:

“ 1 have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of October 31, forwarding certain resolutions carried at the annual Dominion Dairy Conference. Please convey to the delegates the thanks of the Government for the resolution in which representatives of the industry here assembled pledge themselves to do their utmost to secure the maximum production and to make the greatest contribution possible to this country’s war effort. 1 feel personally that this resolution embodies the will and spirit of the primary producers of the Dominion, whose contribution to the country’s war effort has been so highly creditable. ‘‘ In regard to the other resolution, it is inevitable that it must bo considered in the light of the peculiar and unique conceptions and standards of controversial ethics, methods, and fair dealing adopted by those responsible for the management of the conference proceedings in regard to tho reception extended to my colleague, Air Nash, who attended as an invited guest. “ In acknowledging this resolution I would like it to be distinctly understood that, while any representations from a responsible organisation of primary producers will always receive the close and careful attention of my colleagues and myself, the attempt to single out the Minister of Marketing for a personal attack completely fails to impress the Government, and the proceedings at the conference on Wednesday last strengthen and increase, if that were possible, our confidence in him and our admiration for his ability, efficiency, integrity, sincerity, and courage, as well as for his whole-hearted devotion to the duties of his responsible office," including the work of furthering the Government’s proposals for guaranteeing a fair standard of living to all useful people in town and country engaged in the primary and secondary industries and in all other occupations.” STABILISING COSTS MINISTER CAN'T UNDERSTAND RESOLUTION AUCKLAND, November 4. The Alinister of Alarketing, Air Nash, who arrived from Wellington to-day, told an interviewer that he could not understand the procedure of the Dairy Conference, which invited him to speak and condemned him before he arrived at the meeting. The Alinister stressed the point that in June last representatives of the industry came to his office and said that if it were possible to stabilise costs and prices then they felt that they Should not ask for a further increase in the guaranteed price. The difference of opinion had resolved itself into opposition by the Dairy Conference to the increase of 6 per cent, granted as a cost-of-living bonus to wage and salary earners throughout the Dominion. He was satisfied that, unless the element of stability in costs and prices were attained, the Dominion would run into difficulties far exceeding those that followed the last war. He hoped that the recommendation of the Economic Stabilisation Conference would be given effect to.