VOTE OF CENSURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20572, 4 June 1941, Page 2

VOTE OF CENSURE

MARKETING MINISTER PROMISE NOT HONOURED EXPORT MEAT PURCHASE (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. A vote of no-confidence in the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, was moved at the annual conference of the Otago provincial, council ol' the Farmers’ Union, ■ but after a lengthy discussion in criticism of the Government’s policy over the meat export question and of the Minister’s attitude at a recent conference with high country farmers in Dunedin, the motion was amended to one of censure, and this was unanimously carried in the following form: “That this conference expresses strong disapproval at the action of the Minister of Marketing for his failure to honour the contract of the Government to purchase all exportable meat produced this season and his failure to give any adequate information on the Government’s meat purchase policy for next season."

Several members expressed the opinion that it was a pity to single out the Minister of Marketing for a vote of no-confidence, for he was but the mouthpiece of the Government and other members of the Cabinet had an equal responsibility for their failure to honour the promise made to the farmers.

During the course of his address, Mr. W. W. Mulnolland, Dominion president, said Mr. Barclay’s statement that the Government had come to the aid of the sheepfarmers to the extent of £5,000,000 had unintentionally created a wrong impression. It appeared to imply that the money was a form of subsidy, whereas it was for goods supplied by the farmers as per contract.