RURAL PARTY DOMINION FARMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 11

RURAL PARTY

DOMINION FARMERS

CONFERENCE SUGGESTION BETTER ECONOMIC POSITION PLAN OF ACTION NECESSARY [BV TELEGRAPH- I'll ess association] AYKLLINGTOX, Monday The following report of a. discussion held in committee at the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers' uiiion lias boon issued:— "The conference, after a long discussion in committee on what means could he ti.'iod most effectively to counteract tln> progressive worsening of the farmers' economic position, adopted the following resolution: 'That the Dominion executive lie instructed to draw up a programme of action—either economic or political—to bo placed before a special Dominion conference to be called immediately it deems advisable, having special consideration to the fixing of the guaranteed price or the Government's expressed intention in respect to the liiuling of the sheep Inriuing commission. " 'This conference is of the opinion that ultimately political action, through | the medium of a rural party, is an effectual means of securing economic justice for the fanner and the community in general. Therefore tlie Dominion executive is instructed to examine the question from all angles, I with a view to adoption by the next I annual conference, or sooner if necessary, of concrete proposals to give effect thereto.' " The president, Mr. W. W. Mulliolland, commented that this resolution would in certain circumstances become of momentous importance, and impressed on delegates the gravity of the implications that it contained. It was evident, ho added, that farmers were determined to take much more positive action unless means were immediately forthcoming to rectify the industry's position. UNION NOT COMMITTED PRESIDENT'S EXPLANATION [BY TELEGRAPH —I'RKSS ASSOCIATION*] CHIMSTCHURCH, Monday "Jt should be understood that the resolution adopted at the annual conference and reported to-day does not commit the Farmers' Union to the formation of a political party," said Mr. W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president of the union, when he was asked to explain further the report from Wellington. "Jt must not be taken that the union lias decided to form a political party," he added. "There is nothing definite yet and there will not be until the Dominion executive at its next meeting considers the resolution passed at the conference. The resolution was not an operative one, but one creating proposals for investigation and decision. All aspects of the questions involved must bo gone into. This may be done when the executive meets in the third week of August." Explaining the reference to the sheep Farming commission, Mr. Mulholland ;aid that the conference expected the Glpvernment to take some action. If it failed to do so, the farmers would regard it as a serious situation which night require immediate action.