“WHAT IS DICTATORSHIP?”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 May 1939, Page 9

“WHAT IS DICTATORSHIP?”

(To The Editor] Sir, —Having read the article under the above heading in Saturdays’ edition of your paper over the signature of W. I. Heslop, President of the Stoke-Rich-mond branch of the N.Z.F.U., I was astounded at the request by this writer. Did not his Union or members of same hold meetings to form an opposition to the Borough Council water proposal, which had been advertised in “The Mail” on several occasions. Why, the dogs of the town were barking it (as the saying goes). Did not his Union appoint various of its members (no need to mention names) to canvas the Borough by allotting them various parts in which to do the canvassing or in other words to get the people to vote against the water proposal? Is this not nearer dictatorships, sir? Is it any fault of ours that these men came into the Borough to follow their occupation and now find the water rate for the water they have in every paddock, per medium of water troughs, is a bit heavy for what they call sound economic farming to stand and yet how can they expect to economically work these farms without water? In my opinion, sir, these men of the StokeRichmond branch of the N.Z.F.U. would be much better off if they stayed at home and effectively worked their farms from any new ‘angles’ instead of trying to dictate to our Borough Council or the ratepayers, as to how they should or shouldn’t vote on any proposal that is put before them. Could farmers grow early peas and potatoes without the aid of water?—l am, etc. PARCHED. Richmond. Bth May.