Farmers Take Exception To Government Film On Wheat-Growing In N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 July 1948, Page 2

Farmers Take Exception To Government Film On Wheat-Growing In N.Z.

(S.R.) Marton, July 19. Strong exception to n film produced by the New Zealand Government as propaganda for growing more wheat was taken at a meeting in Marton today of the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers, which carried a resolution drawing the attention of the Federation’s Action Comfnittee in Wellington io alleged misrepresentations contained in the film. The president, Mr. F. C. Jurgens (Bulls) said that the film was produced as an incentive for farmers to grow more wheat, but when he saw it in Wellington he was so disgusted that he nearly walked out of the theatre. The film was a gross misrepresentation of wheat farmers in New Zealand and must leave people in the town with the impression that New Zealand wheat producers were responsible, for the sufferings of millions of hungry people in China and elsewhere. Scenes in the film included the burning of wheat on farms which was something that had never happened in New Zealand. Admittedly, wheat was burnt in the United States oi America when there was a surplus some years ago, but it was wrong for these scenes to be included in a New Zealand film. “They must give people in the towns a wrong impression of farmers, and the idea that we are entirely tp blame for the shortage of food in the world,” said Mr. Jurgens. “This is quite wrong, but people who did not know anything about farming could not leave the theatre with any other impression.” Mr. G. T. Simpson (Marton) said the film was intended to encourage wheat growing in New Zealand, but as far as he was aware had been shown only in the cities. The script was prepared by representatives of Federated Farmers, but was rejected. Pieces were taken out of it, however, and used in a way which caused misrepresentation.