FARMERS' DEMANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23048, 27 May 1938, Page 14

FARMERS' DEMANDS

ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT REFERENCE BY MR. FURNISS PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday "During an address to the farmers' conference yesterday, Mr. J. H. Furniss, a member of the Dominion executive of the Farmers' Union, is reported as having stated that my presence at the conference was an indication that the Government was on the run because of the alleged aggressive attitude of some members of the Farmers' Union," said tho Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in a statement to-day. "For the benefit of Mr. Furniss and others who may be misled by his statement," Mr. Savage continued, "I dosire to make it known that I attended the conference at the invitation of those who were responsible for tho conference for tho purpose of performing the opening ceremony. I was received by the delegates with the utmost courtesy, and I see no reason for running, even after having read Mr. Furniss' remarks. "T have told the farmers on many occasions prior to the last general election and since that they were entitled to an equitable share of the total production of the Dominion from all sources, whatever overseas prices may be. That is in line with the policy of the Government and wo will live up to it. The duty of any tribunal that may be appointed will be to decide what the share is to be after having taken all relevant facts into consideration."