F.U. President Resigns From Production Council

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1939, Page 7

F.U. President Resigns From Production Council

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] AUCKLAND, This Day.

The president of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union (Mr H. M. Rushworth) has forwarded his resignation from the Auckland Primary Production Council to the Department of Agriculture. Mr Rushworth explains in his letter of resignation that since it now seems improbable that the Government will consent to adopt a general policy which will permit any considerable increase in farm produce, he has no alternative but to comply with his executive’s instructions arrived at during a meeting on November 15. Causes of Decline. “Every member,” says Mr Rushworth' in his letter, “expressed personal knowledge of the general decline in the volume of primary produce for export and, in spite of the utmost anxiety, not only to arrest this decline but substantially to increase production, no method could be discovered whereby this could be achieved within the framework of the order of reference to the Primary Production Councils. “The causesvof the decline, which prevent a greatly-desired increased production, are to be found in/ Government policy.

“There appears to be no possible chance of the problems being solved by the councils with their extremely limited powers and order of reference.

“Reliance Misplaced.”

“It i’s considered that the people of Great Britain—who are already rationed- in essential foodstuffs, are glad to believe that increased supplies will be forthcoming in due course. “Some time must necessarily elapse before it becomes manifest that reliance on this Dominion for this extremely important line of defence is misplaced, and that efforts should have been made to obtain supplies elsewhere.

“The executive is, therefore, unanimously of the opinion 'hat passive acquiescence in the situation and I a tacit continuation of their representations on the local Primary Production Councils cannot be justified on any grounds.

Passionate Desire to Assist.

“Every member expressed a passionate desire to assist the Empire in the grave perils which we are facing, and every possible step will be taken in that direction.

“But the people of this Dominion and of Great Britain must be clearly informed that the production. of our farm commodities is a long and 'extensive process, requiring considerable skill and expert knowledge, and that there must be a substantial change in Government policy if the desired increases are to be produced. “As a result,” adds Mr Rushworth, “the executive carried the following resolution unanimously: “ ‘That the Farmers’ Union representation on the Primary Production Councils in the Auckland Province be withdrawn upon expiry of one month from today (November 1), failing an assurance having been obtained from the Government that it is prepared to give effect to the conditions set out by this executive as being essential to ensure increased production, or even to maintain production at its present level’.”