FARMERS’ RALLY AT FEILDING TO-DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 108, 10 May 1939, Page 3

FARMERS’ RALLY AT FEILDING TO-DAY

Large Muster Expected To Meet Union Leader SERIOUSNESS OF MUTTON RESTRICTIONS The details released yesterday by the Meat Board of the restrictions on the export of mutton to England add to the difficulties facing primary producers engaged in the production of meat and wool and to-day's big rally of farmers in Feilding will, it is anticipated, emphasise the general seriousness of the position. Efforts have been made by interested farmers to offer a solution for the disposal of surplus mutton estimated to amount to 500,000 carcases, and Mr. Daniels, of Masterton, has drawn up a comprehensive scheme which the Meat Board is considering. Other farmers suggest that as the application of the quota on New Zealand meat by tho British Government was the result of the New Zealand Government's import control restrictions, the Government should accept responsibility for disposing of this surplus meat which is bound to have an adverse effect on prices in New Zealand. However, this is but one phase of the problems facing primary producers tO' day. Higher costs and lower returns arc combining to render it impossible for many farmers to carry on and aa the real wealth of New Zealand is wrested from the land, the country faces a problem in tackling an equitable adjustment of its economic structure.

The Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. W. W. Mulholland, will speak at to-day’s big meeting of farmers and will outline the situation confronting farmers generally. It is likely that the suggestion of a guaranteed price for meat and wool will be mentioned as this is what the Government has offered the farmer as a measure of relief. So far it has been turned down decisively in several centres because the sheepfarmer does not wish to suffer tho experience of the dairy farmer under a guaranteed price scheme.