FARMERS AND POLITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 8

FARMERS AND POLITICS

The gravity with which farmers in New Zealand view the dangerous decline in their own economic position is mirrored in the resolution adopted at the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The effect of the resolution, the full text of which is published this morning, is that farmers should await the decisions of the Government regarding the new season's guaranteed prices for dairy products and the measure of relief to be given to sheepfarmers. Then, if necessary, a programme of economic or political action could be determined in an effort to secure economic justice. The conference has also expressed its opinion that ultimately political action, through the medium of a rural party, may be necessary. It is this suggestion that justifies the comment by the president, Mr. Mulholland, regarding the momentous importance of the resolution "in certain circumstances." Although the groundwork is provided for a definite plan, it is to be noted that neither the phrasing nor the general tone of the resolution indicates any desire for precipitate action. This is just as well, for the farmers should think seriously of their future prospects as a single political force. Obviously they entertain no great hopes of assistance from the present Government, which they regard as predominantly industrial in its outlook. There are, however, individuals and groups in both cities and provincial towns whose interests are not directly linked with farming, but who recognise nevertheless that farming industries are the basis of New Zealand's national economy. Farmers as a class would be well advised to co-operate politically with all sections of the community that share this basic tenet of political faith. The way is open to them to make their influence felt, but there would be real danger if that influence were directed entirely into sectional channels.