PRESSURE ON FARMERS

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 6

PRESSURE ON FARMERS

OPPOSITION VOICED

TELEGRAM TO PREMIER. 'NO CONTROL OF PRICE FACTORS.’ (Special Reporter). AUCKLAND, Friday. _ A unanimous decision to telegraph the Prime Minister urging that no farmer be put off his farm or sold up owing to the operation of price factors over which he has no control . was reached by the Auckland provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day.

The resolution added that the conference was gravely alarmed at the action of Crown and private mortgagees in evicting mortgagors in a time of national distress. They were firmly of opinion that farmers were not responsible for the position, in which they found themselves to-day. The extraordinary drop in price levels for primary produce made it impossible for farmers to meet their obligations which were contracted during the period of higher prices for primary products. The call to increase production to meet the drop in prices had been responded to in a wonderful manner, yet the increased volume had not nearly bridged the gap between costs of production and income. The Government had admitted this fact and reiterated the necessity to keep the present farmers on the land.. As yet no adequate means had been taken to achieve this end. In view of this the conference earnestly requested the Prime Minister to take steps to prevent any farmer being put off his holding and that he he given a fair chance to make good if and when conditions improved. The resolution was moved by Mr ■R. Bird (Awanul) and seconded by Mr W. Boyd (Matangi).