PAMPHLET NOT LIKED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 202, 24 August 1944, Page 4

PAMPHLET NOT LIKED

CRITICISM OF FARMERS’ UNION OBJECTED TO “I CAN TAKE IT,” SAYS THE WRITER, MR. R. O. MONTGOMERIE “I think Mr. Montgomerie would b? well advised to adopt the tactics of his famous namesake, General Sir Bernard Montgomery, of ‘left hook' fame, and adopt a better way of expressing his views in his pamphlet.” These remarks were made at a meeting yesterday of the Wanganui Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, by Mr. R. Campion (Fordell), during a discussion concerning a decision reached by the Finance Committee, that it had no recommendation to make regarding a request for a monetary grant towards publication of a pamphlet, which has been compiled by Mr. R. O. Montgomerie, Kakatahi.* Mr. Campion said the matter had been discussed by the Fordell branch of the union, where opinion was divided, but it was suggested that a committee be set up to meet Mr. Montgomerie, with a view to seeing that the pamphlet be toned down. Speaking personally, Mr. Campion said he regretted that Mr. Montgomerie had gone as far as he had done. His criticism was not helpful, but smacked of bombast. It was going “the Cassino way,” he said.

Co-operation was needed to-day, added Mr. Campion, and, unfortunately, the pamphlet lacked that quality. He could not support its publication.

Mr. Claud Smith (Brunswick) said that much which was contained in the pamphlet was political and condemnatory of the Farmers’ Union. It was couched in very strong language, and the Finance Committee had no recommendation to make.

Replying, Mr. Montgomerie said he had written the pamphlet under pressure of time, but felt strongly on the matters contained in it. “We are not going to get far if we are afraid to give expression to our opinions,” said Mr. Montgomerie “When compiling it I knew I would be liable to criticism, and I am prepared to take it,” he added. With the exception of page 20. he did not think any remarks of his could be objected to.

Mr. Smith said he objected to the remarks about the Farmers’ Union. They were not constructive and were not helpful. When it was proposed that a committee be set up to meet Mr. Montgomerie with a view to revising his pamphlet, Mr. Smith said that if the union desired that the pamphlet be revised it should be Mr. Montgomerie’s, task. The union would not get anywhere if it continually set un committees to revise matters which came before the executive. A motion to set up a committee and meet Mr. Montgomerie was lost and the discussion lapsed.