FAILURE IN PRODUCTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 74, 7 January 1949, Page 2

FAILURE IN PRODUCTION

Sir,—That New Zealand is producing little more food than it was 10 years ago and that in actual fact the volume of farm produce is less now than it was in 1941 is the sole responsibility of the Labour Government whose restrictive policy deliberately directed against our farmers is responsible for denying British people many thousands of tons of much-needed food and also depriving New Zealanders of exchange (Sir Henry Tizard mentioned £50,000,000 yearly) that would have made good many of our shortages and also founded our economy on such a sure and certain basis that greater security and better living conditions would have been provided for everyone- The recent decision of the Price Tribunal to fix wholesale prides for meat for nine months of the year and a free market for the other three months is one of the most stupid decisions that could possibly have been made. The decision could not have been based on the evidence submitted; the Tribunal merely gave effect to the Government’s restrictive policy. Why should farmers be treated differently from coalminers? Both are primary producers. When the price of coal was fixed miners’ wages were not reduced to enable coal to he sold without loss so why now should farmers’ reward be slashed in this unseemly fashion? If persisted with there will be a further (decline of farm production. Farming is New Zealand s basic industry and the measure of its success (production) decides the standard of living. New Zealanders are to enjoy. The people of New Zealand in all walks of life should therefore, in their own interests,, take heed of this all-important fact and make certain thev elect this year u- Government that will expand farm production to the full and so ensure greater security for all in the unpredictable future. It’s time for a change. Richard S. Thompson. Wetherstones, Otago.