FARM SUBSIDIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 1, 3 January 1933, Page 8

FARM SUBSIDIES.

HELP FROM RAILWAYS. MINISTER ON ECONOMY. ESTIMATES KEPT INTACT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TAURANGA, this day. • Speaking on Saturday afternoon when receiving a presentation from the suppliers of the Tauranga Go-operative Dairy Association, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture, said that, although the recommendations of the National Economy Commission to discontinue the free carriage of lime, the contribution towards freight on fertilisers, and the subsidy on superphosphate, totalling £400,000, might mean a saving, he doubted if the country would be any better off. These items, he added, should be regarded as investments, and he was pleased to say that he had been able to keep the Department's estimates intact, to enable it to function as formerly, as he felt it was the duty of the Government to assist in maintaining production. There was practically an, unlimited market for cheese in Canada, and New Zealand, as one of the main exporting countries, should give mora attention to cheese marketing. Indirectly, this would help the butter position. He could not understand the wide disparity between New Zealand and Danish butter prices, but thought it might be possible to re-work New Zealand butter ii} London, and make it easier to spread. An investigation hi that direction might well be tried. Mr. Macmillan referred to the scheme for small farm holdings, and explained that proposals now before the Government would make it possible for the State to take surplus land for settlement, and this should give sufficient land for a large number of unemployed men, thus easing the pressure on the relief fund. The bill to give effect to the proposals would be considered by the House next month, and, if it went through, there should soon be very little idle land left in the Tauranga district.