ATTACK ON DEPRESSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 199, 23 August 1934, Page 4

ATTACK ON DEPRESSION

A SCHEME IN THE MAKING MATTER BEFORE FARMERS’ UNION. The languid atmosphere usual when the major portion of the business of a meeting has been dealt with, and those in authority are grappling as best they can with the little stray problems which adorn the end of an agenda paper, suddenly disappeared at the Wanganui Farmers’ Union meeting yesterday, when the chairman Mr. A. P. Melville, stated briefly that there was a man in Wanganui “who could cure the depression in a fortnight.” Away went the pessimistic outlook so far as the meat export trade was concerned; even the wool levy was forgotten. Members ceased their crosstable personal debates and paid attention to the chair. Mr. J. R. Franklin: Is his scheme genuine? Mr. D. Howard: Break it gently. Some of us can’t stand a shock. Mr. O. Hawken (excitedly): Don’t keep us in suspense too long, Mr. chairman. Mr. Melville said that he had had difficulty in assimilating the whole of the scheme. Mr. Currie had been communicated with in the first instance, but had unselfishly transferred the originator of the scheme to Mr. Melville’s tender care. Mr. Melville had asked that the whole matter be simplified, and put in writing round some 10 or 12 cardinal points. He would then undertake to put it before the union. The originator, round whom Mr. Melville wrapped a cloak of strick anonymity, was prepared to follow that advice. “I could not quite grasp what the scheme was,” Mr. Melville added, “but, briefly, it concerns the dairy produce of this country, what is left over after export. The object is to utilise that in some way, so that there will be plenty of milk and butter for everybody.” Members (rather sadly): Another Bernard Shaw. IVIr. Melville added that the scheme had been submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, who had replied to the effect that “it has been noted and will receive due consideration.” “The originator, this morniiig, showed me a letter couched in similar terms from the Prime Minister,” Mr. Melville stated. “All these letters have a marked similarity.” Mr. O. Hawken (with dignity): I think it should be your honour, Mr. Chairman, to carry this thing through. You should be elected a committee of one to go into it and report. There the matter has ended for the time being.