STABILISATION POLICY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 13335, 23 December 1943, Page 7

STABILISATION POLICY

MANY CONCESSIONS EFFECT OF PRESSURE The tact that the situation regarding the Government’s stabilisation policy was causing concern to tbe Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was conveyed on December 1 by the Provincial Secretary (Mr A. E. Robinson) to the acting-Prime Minister. Hon. W. Nash. It was pointed out that although it was considered that the stabilisation order was grossly unfair to producers for export, the Farmers’ Union had decided when it was introduced to support, it in the hope that it would be carried out impartially in both the letter and spirit. It now appeared, however, Mr Robinson continued, that the Government was yielding to pressure and was granting or permitting concessions in many quarters that broke both the letter and spirit of the regulations. If these practices were continued, Farmers’,Union would be compelled to reconsider its attitude to the Government’s stabilisation policy. In a reply from Mr W. Marshall, a member of the Economic Stabilisation Committee, received at the monthly meeting of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union it was stated that there had been considerable increases since December 12, 1942 (the date of the Stabilisation Order) in prices paid to farmers (a) all dairy products except town milk, (b) most meat lines, and (c) fruit. Consideration was also being given to the claim for a cost allowance for town milk. The letter added that the pressure for these increases from farmers’ organisations had been terrific. The present situation was extremely difficult, and he had to confess fears for the future, so that probably, more than ever, economic stabilisation needs a few strong friends. The president said that the adjustments made in favour of farmers were entirely insufficient and were not comparable with those made in other directions. Various speakers expressed the opinion that stabilisation, as far as it had gone, had helped the nation considerably, but there were far toe many breaches in the Order.