FRIEND CF FARMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 206, 1 September 1943, Page 4

FRIEND CF FARMERS

MR. BARCLAY EMPHATIC ADDRESS AT” WAVERLEY "Some people said I would not dare come and speak to VVaverley farmers, and that they woull chase me out of the town,” said the Minister of Marketing, Hon. J. G. Barclay, addressing an audience of about 150 people in the Waverley Town Hall last night. He added that this was one of the many producing districts that benefited from the Government’s guaranteed prices—a sufficient reason why farmers in Waverley should support Labour. Mr. Barclay was given a good hearing with practically no interjections. He emphasised that he resented suggestions that he was not sympathetic with farmers. "I have been a farmer all my life and it is not. true to say that iny relationship with primary producers is not good,” Mr. Barclay added. Mr. J. J. Johnston, chairman of the Waverley Town Board, presided. Mr. Barclay said at the outset that he was pleased to speak in Waverley in support of Mr. A. H. Langslow, Labour candidate for Batea. There had been criticism of the Government’s decision to hold an election at the present time and much could be said in favour of both sides, but in view of decisions in other countries the Government had no option but to hold an election. Such a step would never have been necessary if a coalition Government could have been formed, but. attempts made by the Prime Minist.br, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in this direction, were not. successful. For a time it appeared as though the War Cabinet, consisting of Labour and Opposition members, would continue in the interests of the country's war effort, but. the question of the miners’ strike in the Waikato caused a division which should never have split the ranks of this Coalition Cabinet. Mr. Barclay added that he attended the last meeting of this War Cabinet, when the strike was discussed. With the exception of the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. S. G. Holland, all members of Cabinet, were in favour of the miners being given the alternative of returning to work instead of being imprisoned. Mr. Holland would not agree and walked out. Other members of the Opposition who had voted in favour of the alternative given the miners followed, and with the dissolution of this Coalition Cabinet, an election was necessary. "I don’t know what this Coalition would have led to in the interests of the country if it had continued,” said Mr. Barclay. New Zealanders could be justly proud of their war effort and the splendid work of their fighting forces overseas. Production had increased to an amazing extent, and farmers were making every effort, to meet, the increased demand for food. The question of rehabilitation was another important phase of the country's Avar effort and the Labour Government was determined that every returned man would be given all possible assistance. Referring to the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Bill, Mr. Barclay said he disagreed with the suggestions that, this measure was cumbersome and unworkable. The same thing had been said about the guaranteed price for dairy farmers, but no producer would like to see this system eliminated. “I addressed a meeting of 300 people, mostly dairy farmers, in Matamata last night, and when 1. asked if anybody in Ihe hall wanted to do away with the guaranteed price there was not a whisper. The same thing will happen with the Land Sales Bill, and in three years’ time you will want to carry it forward.” said Mr. Barclay. The measure had been introduced 'because of the demand for action, from all sections, which would stop the rising price of land. The Bill had been fully discussed with the Returned Services’ Association, and this organisation, concerned for the welfare of exservicemen, was largely behind it. “I am sure,” the speaker added, "that many men holding land in this district would be willing to sell portions at their productive value for men who have been fighting overseas. All we want to do is drive the peg in before the price of land rises any further; then I can come in as Minister of Lands, purchase the land and subdivide it for returned soldiers.” The Minister commented also that there had been a tirade of misrepresentation in newspapers against the Bill, but nothing had been published in its favour. A man who had been a member of the Auckland Farmers’ Union all his life had stated in a letter to aim, as Minister, that the Bill had one major fault—it was at least 26 years too late. Taxation was high in New Zealand, but in Mr. Nash the Dominion had the best Minister of Finance in the world and the Dominion had suffered less, financially, than any other country. In spite of the marked increase in taxation in Australia, Mr. Curtin was returned with an overwhelming majority, but this was nothing to what would happen in New Zealand on September 25. "We shall get 70 of the 80 seats,” Mr. Barclay declared. A Voice: You’ll get 90 seats. Mr. Barclay commented that In New Zealand taxation on incomes was lower than in Australia or England. but the man with an income of £5OOO a year paid more in New Zealand than a man on a similary salary in Australia. "People have said that I have no sympathy with farmers, but 1 have liveu in a background of farming all niiy life,” the Minister added. "It is incorrect to say that iny relationship with primary producers is not good. Because the newspapers wanted to buy the farmers’ vote they have attacked me very unfairly.” The speaker emphasised that the Government’s marketing policy had benefited producers and quoted, as an example, profits from the sales of tallow. In the first year of these operations the profits totalled £125X)00, and in the second year they reached £360,000, all of which would go to the meat pool for the benefit of farmers. "These are figures,” said Mr. Barclay, "that you will never see in the newspapers. 1 lift my hat to the reporters if they can get them in in the morning. The freezing works call it ‘Barclay’s Steal.’ The profits would have gone to them if L had not seen the position and bought that tallow.” In reply to a question as to whether the Labour Government was in favour of the guaranteed price lor wool and meat being continued after the war, Mr. Barclay said that before the present war the Government was given a mandate to fix a guaranteed price for dairy produce. "If we can get a mandate to fix the price of meat and wool after the war we shall do so,” he said. "Mr. Nash wanted to do this before the war, but the industry objected and he did not go ahead with it.” A vote of thanks and confidence in the speaker was carried on the voices.