THE GUARANTEED PRICE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 16

THE GUARANTEED PRICE

FARMERS MAINTAIN OPPOSITION PETITION TO BE SENT TO PARLIAMENT (PBESS ASSOCIATION MLSGHA.M.) INVERCARGILL, September 17. Regret that the Minister for Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) had shown no disposition to alter his stand on the guaranteed price, and that the dairy fanners' front had been weakened by the carrying of a resolution of satisfaction with the price at a Lochiel factory meeting, was expressed at a meeting of dairy farmers this morning. The delegates who were sent to Wellington to meet the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and to confer with the Minister for Marketing reported on their mission to 150 farmers present, and the opinion was unanimous that in Southland there would, under the price, be little left for the farmer after the rising costs had been met. After discussion the following motion was carried: "That this meeting appoint a committee representing the Southland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and the South Island Dairy Association, to formulate a petition to be signed by dairy farmers in Southland and presented to Parliament, expressing the views of dairy farmers with regard to the Government's guaranteed price for the current season." DECISION OF FARMERS' UNION OPINION OF MEMBERS IN SOUTH CANTERBURY [THE PEESS Special Service.] TIMARU, September 17. The South Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union decided at its monthly meeting to-day to support the protest of the Dominion Executive against the guaranteed price for dairy produce. Mr H. L. Adam said that the deficiency to be met amounted to £650,000, and he claimed that if the taxpayers had to provide what was being asked for, a sum of £5,000,000 or £6,000,000 would be required. "We should go for as high a standard of living as other sections of the community," said Mr G. A. Davey. Mr W. H. Staniland: There is nothing new for the farmer to have to accept a lower standard of living than the rest of the community. It has always be<m, and always will be. Mr B. E. Evans said that when a section of workers asked for better conditions they did not ask who was to pay for it, nor should farmers do so in the present instance. Mr A. J. Davey said that if ever in the history of the industry the farmers had been sold, it was in the last 12 months. He could not understand why any regulations should give any particular company the right to sell farmers' butter-fat. The farmer was entitled to lair play, and to say where his butter-fat should go. He moved that the Dominion Executive should be supported in its action. Mr P. McNeill seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent.