POTATO MARKETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 12

POTATO MARKETING

CONTROVERSY CONTINUES STATEMENT BY FARMERS’ UNION QUESTIONS FOR MINISTER (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 15. Replying this evening to a statement by the Minister of Marketing (Mr W. Nash), the New Zealand Farmers’ Union states that it has the keenest desire to assist the Government in this matter, and it had been watching the position for some time, but it was not until the president (Mr W. W. Mulholland) had telegraphed to the Minister that an invitation was issued to the union to assist. " The union's statement that ‘ any person claiming to represent the growers had no right to do so ’ applied to the people with whom the Minister conferred.” continues the statement. “Mr Nash can clarify the whole position by stating the name of the organisation represented by the men whose authority is questioned, and whether or not a potato commandeer is intended, for these are matters which are the main subject of the controversy. Mr Mulholland’s second telegram from Canterbury distinctly states ‘no farmers’ ’ organisation here has appointed a representative. This point cannot be stressed too strongly, for it is the real matter in question. The telegrams which have passed between the Minister and the president of the Farmers’ Union are given hereunder. Up till this afternoon no reply had been received by the Dominion president to his second telegram.” The telegrams are given as follows: — From Mr Mulholland: “ Press reports representations from potato growers concerning marketing and your intentions to announce the procedure to be followed next week. No farmers' organisations have authorised representations and any person claiming to represent the growers had no right to do so. Farmers will resent the commandeer of produce which the message seems to indicate is under consideration.” Reply from Mr Nash: “ The Government is considering the information submitted by representative potato growers in connection with the marketing of potatoes. If you have any information to submit also I will be pleased to consider it.” From Mr Mulholland: “Your telegram in regard to potato marketing received. No farmers' organisation here has appointed a representative. What is the proposal under discussion arid with whom? ”