FARMERS’ BURDEN

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5599, 31 March 1943, Page 4

FARMERS’ BURDEN

“LACK OF SYMPATHY” GOVERNMENT INDITED “The primary producers now consisting mostly of men past the prime of life, self-sacrificing women and hard-working children have continued their gallant struggle to maintain production to assist the war effort and to feed our soldiers and allies. In spite of all their efforts production is declining. Adverse seasons, lack of labour and fertiliser, and, worst of all, an utter lack of sympathy and understanding on the part of the Government which at times has almost developed into active hostility, has added the last camel straw to the farmers’ burden. Thus declared Mr JR. W. Strugnell, president of the Bay of Plenty SubProvincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, in the course of his report to the annual meeting of the executive in Tauranga on Thursday last. “The year just ended has been a most difficult one for the farming industry,” stated Mr Strugnell. “In this sub-province and in some others we have experienced two successive dry seasons. Production has shown a sharp decline, which has been reflected in smaller incomes for farmers. The labour problem has become a nightmare. Palliatives have been put forward by the Government but a sound, sane labour policy has not yet appeared. The restrictions in supplies of fertiliser are beginning to have the expected adverse effect on production. On the hill country where regular, adequate supplies are the life blood of the land, the position is very serious indeed. In this sub-province a great deal of our production comes from that type of country. The fertiliser and the labour problems are linked with the war and no appreciable relief can be expected until the cessation of hostilities.

“Action of Madman” “To ask for production and to refuse to pay a fair price for it is the action of a madman or a Hitler,” added Mr Strugnell. “In either case it is doomed to failure. The pig industry is a case in point. Government speakers on the national radio urged farmers to increase production, especially of pig meat. Facilities were provided to borrow money to provide the extra accommodation (required. Thie response was wonderful and pigs appeared to be developing into a worthwhile industry. Then the usual Government muddle occurred and farmers were told that there was no market for their pigs. Many were stampeded into selling at a heavy loss to themselves and a handsome 'profit to bacon companies and butchers. Later on, the British Government made an additional payment of £55,000 to cover increased cost of production. Our Government kept it. They have no intention of helping men who put patriotism before profits. At the beginning of this season farmers were told there was a shortage of pig meat and they were required to carry their baconers to 1801bs. to make up the deficiency.* A few months later they were told that 1801bs. was not suitable and that they were to reduce this weight to 1601bs. Is it any wonder that many farmers have ceased keeping pigs, and that the estimated shortage is assessed at 150,000? “Now the egg producers are to have their turn, and a beautiful muddle is in the process of development in that industry,” said Mr Strugnell. “The hens are required to lay an extra four million dozen eggs, but so far there is no whisper of making available adequate supplies of cheap fowl feed to enable this to be done. The woolgrower has been through the Government mill and has emerged shorn of 15 per cent of his wool payment. He is forced to accept Government bonds that are non-e very thing that is worth anything. So far he has been given no information on the subject of interest or maturity of the bonds. He is also compelled to subsidise the local woollen industry to the extent of 1 per cent—a small gift that runs into hundreds of thousands of pounds. “In occupied Europe these actions would occasion no surprise. In a British Dominion that has always prided itself on its democratic - government, its love of fair play and the justice of its laws, they are a gross misuse of power,” declared Mr Strugnell. “To oppress a section of the people is always bad policy. To do it in wartime, when national unity is vital to the success of the war effort, is a scandal. All that is required to obtain the wholehearted co-operation of the farming community is to give them a square deal.

War Situation “In my last annual report I expressed the hope that this meeting would be held under happier circumstances than then prevailed,” added Mr Strugnell. “Part of that hope has been realised. The war situation has changed from extreme gloom to bright promise. The Dominion executive, on behalf of the union, has cabled -fiongratulations to the victorious Eighth Army. In the Pacific the conquering march of the Japanese has been halted. The Allies are now taking the offensive and are rapidly obtaining a .preponderance of armaments and men that will enable them to prosecute the war with the utmost vigour that will ultimately be crowned with success.

In these operations our men have played a decisive part and have materially added to the glorious traditions achieved by New Zealanders in previous wars.

“The monthly meetings of the provincial executive have been well attended, and have been reported on from time to time,” Mr Strugnell said. “All of our sub-provincial meetings have been held in Tauranga and I want especially to thank our members from Opitiki for always sending a delegation. Until three months ago I had no assistance on the farm and although I the provincial executive meetings except two, I have not been able to pay my annual visit to the branches. Organising has practically ceased and organising in the sub-provinces is now the responsibility of the sub-provincial presidents. “This is election year and I would ask members to give the political

situation their very earnest consideration. It is most likely that the new Government will be In office when peace returns and peace treaties, rehabilitation, etc., will have to be dealt with. We must do our utmost to see that the future of the farming industry as well as that of our families and returned men is safeguarded.

“In conclusion, I wish to thank you all for your loyal support throughout the year, and the Press for the publicity given to the activities of our union,” concluded Mr Strugnell. Several delegates spoke, congratulating Mr Strugnell on his report, which was adopted.—Bay of Plenty Times.