FARMERS RESENTFUL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 4872, 18 February 1933, Page 2

FARMERS RESENTFUL.

BUSINESSMEN CENSURED

A statement made by a speaker at a recent public meeting in Palmerston North convened by the Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of considering the action of the Government in raising the l’ate of exchange—“lf the farmers Avalk off tlieir farms, let them do it; it Avill make no difference, for there are plenty of others Avho aaull take their places”—was strongly resented by the executive of the Maim Avatu Dairy Farmers’ Union at its meeting on Thursday.

The question was brought.. forAvard in a letter from the Rangiotn branch of the union. The latter said: “If such stupid and ridiculous statements are the opinion of the businessmen of Palmerston N., for Avliom the speaker claimed to be speaking, it clearly indicates that they have never given a moment’s thought to the moral effect of such a move by the farmers. Evidently the businessman knoAvs nothing of his subject, ! IP; “If the business people do not realise the amount of money circulated through Palmerston North by the farmers, Ave suggest the Chamber of Commerce should ascertain the amount paid to suppliers annually by many works and factories adjacent to the city, and visualise ;hc result if this money A\ r ere spent elsewhere.” Mr. E. 0. Bond said he Avas at lie meeting, but had interpreted the remarks of the speaker to mean that if the Government had to resort to such drastic measures as the raising of the exchange to keep (lie farmers on the land, then it avus better for the farmers that tliov should leaA’c their land.

The meeting' passed a resolution expressing resentment at the statement made bv Mr. BroAvn.