FARMERS TALK DIRECT ACTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21852, 24 October 1945, Page 4

FARMERS TALK DIRECT ACTION

QUOTA FURORE “UNFAIR JTACTICS” IRATE RESOLUTIONS APPEAL TO PREMIER (P.A.) PALMERSTON N„ Oct. 24. Over 500 farmers left their farms yesterday to attend a meeting called to protest against the Government intention to abolish the country quota. In an atmosphere of irateness they went further by declaring that they were ready to take any direct action headquarters in Wellington might call for. The suggested lines of action named were the cessation of milk supplies to cities and towns, the cessation of sending fat stock to the sale yards where butchers operated, and the locking of the doors at the butter and cheese factories. The resolution carried was worded as follows: “This large and representative meeting of formers of Manawatu emphatically protests against any action of the Government which in any way interferes with the country quota system, which has been in operation in this country since 1381. We consider it a most unfair action on the part of the Government to endeavour to pass legislation of this type and magnitude without first gaining an expression of opinion from the electors. “Postpone Measure” “We request Dominion headquarters to make arrangements at the earliest possible moment to place our views before the Prime Minister, at the same time appealing to him at least to postpone the passing of the measure until after the next election. “In the event of the Prime Minister not being prepared to comply, we pledge our support to the Dominion president and his executive in any direct action he may deem necessary.” Mr H. J. McLeavey, the provincial president, likened the Government move to a blow below the belt and one of the greatest steps towards dictatorship the country had seen. The Government was using its power to keep itself in office indefinitely. The farming community should still have representation commensurate with their contribution to the common pool. The farmers contributed over 90 per cent of the real wealth of the country. They might just as well suggest taking the extra butter ration from the miners and the sawmill workers as suggest this proposal, added Mr. McLeavey, who said the emergency committee of the union was meeting in Wellington on Monday to make a decision.