THE FARMERS' MEETING AT OAMARU

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23805, 11 May 1939, Page 17

THE FARMERS' MEETING AT OAMARU

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —I do not know Mr S. J. Trotter, whose letter appeared in your paper of yesterday’s date, and have never met him, but I wish to tell him right here and now that if he wants to drag my name into the press it will be advisable that he should stick to the truth I am not going to waste time with details. Mr Trotter says I proposed that the farmers should refuse to pay their taxes. I did not propose anything of the sort. If Mr Trotter was at the meeting he knows I did not propose any such thing. As for being an advocate of revolution, all I can say is that, if Mr Trotter is as true and loyal to the British flag and all it stands for as I am. he will strive to get the very thought and name of revolution off his mind.—l am, etc., J. J. More. Tokarahi, May 9.

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Your correspondent seems rather dissatisfied with the performance staged at the Opera House on Friday last, but I think the producers of the show (our Emergency Committee) put on a very cheap entertainment. They no doubt went to some trouble and possibly some expense in bringing from an outside district noted performers to take the leading parts. I know your correspondent was not the only one who thought that the proceedings were to consist more of a debate between alternate speakers for and against the resolution, but I think the sponsors of the show were wise in following the course adopted, as the resolution had to be carried at all costs. I know of at least one member of the union who wrote to the sponsors soliciting an opportunity to address the meeting as an advocate of the guaranteed price formula, but. ol course, his request was refused, and after attending the meeting he now admits that he made a bad break in asking. I was disappointed that the leading lady of pre-election days—Miss “ Compensated Price”—was not represented on the stage, but I am told that, as her leading man failed to get a large enough company together to perform in Wellington, she has since been in disfavour. I do not like to criticise, but must mention that the leading man’s part seemed rather long, and certain signs of anxiety were written on the faces of the other players as if they were in agreement with this view His performance, too, was slightly marred by a seeming lack of conviction in his own mind as to the suggested remedy to meet the needs of the farmer. His second, also, spoke his piece well, and the understudies, who were left with only minor parts, and less time, also did well, and some revolutionary ideas expressed by one of them' were very favourably received. Next came the member for Waitaki, and the audience was given the impression that he will speak up well on the larger stage at Wellington. Next came the side men. who proposed and seconded the resolution. Possibly it would have been better if the mover had memorised his chief lines, as possibly many in the body of the hall did not catch the exact wording of the resolution. It was. in my opinion however, a very creditable performance all through. The sponsors must be congratulated that uo to this stage, when many of the audience had left the hall, no arguments against the resolution had been heard. It was also wise on their part to allow the mover and seconder of the amendment to speak their lines from the body of the hall, as this put these speakers at a disadvantage, as they had about half the audience behind them. The Mayor controlled the meeting in his usual canable manner.

In conclusion. I may say that some pointed questions may be asked at the next meeting of our executive, but the Emergency Committee will, no doubt, be ready for these, and will answer them without any help from me.—l am. etc.. Jumbo.