FARMERS STRIKE IN U.S.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19626, 21 October 1933, Page 17

FARMERS STRIKE IN U.S.A.

REFUSAL TO PRODUCE AT LOSS NATION-WIDE HOLD UP THREATENED United Press Association—By Electrle Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 20, 5.5 p.m.) ST. PAULS (Minnesota), Oct. 19. The farmers on Thursday night were called upon to strike at noon on Saturday by the directors of the National Farm Holiday Association, who hoped to increase the prices by drying up the channels through which produce flows to the market. Objective Of Strike. One of the primary objectives of the strike will be to compel the Washington Administration to formulate and put into effect an N.R.A. code for agriculture. Secret Meeting Of Directors. The directors who attended a secret meeting of the Association, said that seven or eight States were represented at the session, and telephone calls were made to officers and members in other States. Farmers’ Ultimatum. A secret meeting drafted a proclamation containing the following ultimatum: “We will pay no taxes, nor interest, until we have first cared for our families. “We will pay no interest-bearing debts until we receive the cost of production. “We will buy only that which complete necessity demands. “We will stay in our homes, which we now occupy. “We will not sell our products unless we receive the cost of production. “We will exchange our products with labour and the unemployed for things we need on the farm, on the basis of the cost of production, for both parties.” • Period .Of Strike. The ultimatum declared: “The strike would remain in operation until farm products bring the cost of production, and until we are re-financed under the terms of the Frazier Bill.” The directors declare that the monied interests of the country still dominate the Government, which has lost the farmers’ confidence. "We still stand ready to support the Administration in any programme that will recognise the farmers' fundamental right to ask for and receive the cost of production.” The statement said; “The strike will be effective in twenty-four States, to which the Holiday Association has members. There are more than 2,000,000 farmers who are members.” It is stated that the success of the strike will be based entirely upon the appeal to individual members and units of the Association to refrain from shipping their products to the market.