EXPORTABLE MEAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 192, 16 July 1941, Page 6

EXPORTABLE MEAT.

PLEDGE TO PURCHASE

FARMERS' RESOLUTION

(Press Assu.) WELLINGTON, July 13 Strong disapproval of the action of Hon. J. G. Barclay "lor his repudiation of the Government's pledge to purchase all exportable meat produced this season, and his failure to give any indication of the •Government's policy for dealing with next season's meat production," was expressed at the annual Dominion conference of the Farmers' Union.

Moving a remit from Otago to this effect, Mr E. A. Cameron (Gore) quoted various promises made by the Prime Minister and Mr Barclay. 'They wcr6 definite promises and I think every farmer believed that when he fattened his stock it would be paid for by the Government. When the Government got into a bit of a jamb it began to sidestep and said the farmers were taking advantage of the position and sending in abnormal quantities." Mr Cameron quoted a legal opinion from "the best compensation lawyer in the South Island" who said Jie thought the Minister had contracted as claimed. His promise was broken, Mr Cameron added, and that Undermined the fanners' confidence in any future promises by the Government.

Seconding the motion, Mr D. H. Coekburn (Quecnstown) said there was no question but that the producers of the Dominion had a definite case against the Minister. The remit was carried without dissent.

A resolution that the system for the election of members of the <?Meat Producers' Board be altered to the ward system and also that dairy farmers and beef producers be granted representation at the election of thp board was adopted by the delegates on the motion of Mr I). G. Gordon (Taihape), who said it was felt that the board was out of touch with the producers. The suggestion contained in the resolution was already the union's policy, but apparently nothing much had been done about it. A golden opportunity presented itself now considering the promise made by Mr Nash and ihe fact that an election was pending. The whole election of the Meat Board should be on a better and more democratic plan, said Mr Gordon. The view that ihe present difficulties of contact between the Board and the producers would be overcome to a great extent by the ward system was expressed by a delegate.