ACTION BY FARMERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 15, 15 December 1945, Page 10

ACTION BY FARMERS

SOUTHERN HAWKE’S BAY.

Mr E. J. Harding (provincial president) was in the chair at a further meeting of the Southern Hawke’s Bay provincial action committee set up to take every step possible to assist the Dominion executive in its determination to rally the farming community and others throughout New Zealand against the Government in the abolition of the country quota and other legislation which was considered contrary to the future well-being of the Dominion as a whole.

Mr Harding outlined the progress which had been made in Southern Hawke’s. Bay since the Dominion executive had decided on the initial plan of action. Naturally there was not complete unanimity in regard to the plan decided on, he said, as many wanted more drastic action taken immediately and were willing to go to any extremes to force the Government to change its policy. The differences of opinion, he said, were oerhaps a good thing because they nad f shown that there was a growing unrest right throughout New Zealand, and the splendid organisation which was going on at present clearly showed that Federated Farmers of New Zealand, with the promised support of other organisations, would be ready for the big fight when the time came.

Mr K. J. Holyoake, a Dominion vice-president, more fully explained the work which the Dominion action committee propsed to do to co-ordinate the organisation work among the provinces and branches throughout New Zealand and this action committee had been given wide powers to assist every part of the Dominion to “get ready.” Mr Holyoake spoke, too, of the growing unrest right throughout New Zealand among farmers and other responsible people. It was pointed out by the president and Mr Holyoake that there must be a huge sum ready for all eventualities and £250,000 for New Zealand might not be too much; £7OOO was Southern Hawke’s Bay’s quota and those who were “on our side,” could at the present time best show their determination and willingness by sending in their amounts for the fund on the basis decided on—l-10d per lb. butterfat, id on lambs docked and 5s per bale of wool. It was decided to ask tbe branches to send in the personnel of their action first instalment of material in connection with the propaganda and publicitycommittees immediately and also to ask the Dominion head office to send the campaign. Mr G. A. Cammock spoke strongly on the need of personal effort on the part of farmers.