GUARANTEED PRICES OPPOSED

Southland Times, Issue 23839, 9 June 1939, Page 7

GUARANTEED PRICES OPPOSED

VOTE OF FARMERS TAKEN AT ORETI An almost unanimous vote opposing guaranteed prices for meat and Wool was passed at a meeting of farmers addressed by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Mr W. W. Mulholland) at Oreti last night. Representatives of the Oreti, South Hillend, Browns, Limehills, Dipton, Isla Bank, Drummond and Heddon Bush branches were present. Mr A. R. Johnston, past president of the Southland provincial executive, said a very important question was coming before the farmers because of the offer by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) of a guaranteed price for meat and wool. The Southland provincial conference had carried a remit submitted by the executive opposing a guaranteed price as a solution of the sheep farmers’ problems. This remit would be sent forward to the Dominion conference. It had been suggested that the feeling of the meeting on the question be tested. When a vote was taken 90 supported the remit and two votes were cast in favour of the guaranteed price. Mr D. McDonald, a vice-president of the Southland executive, congratulated the meeting on its vote. He said it would be the last blow if the control of produce was taken from them. Farmers did not want to become State servants.