FATTENING STOCK IN WINTER

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22851, 26 October 1939, Page 10

FATTENING STOCK IN WINTER

ADDITIONAL COST TO

FARMERS

ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE

IN FIXING PRICE

From Our Parliamentary, Reporter.}

WELLINGTON, October 25. Agreement that if a farmer was involved in additional costs by reason of fattening stock during the winter he was entitled to some compensation, in the same manner as other producers and traders, was expressed by the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon D. G. Sullivan). The Minister’s statement followed the publication of a recent announcement by him that the prices of meat for consumption in New Zealand would be based on the price arranged between the New Zealand and United Kingdom. Governments. It was subsequently pom ted out that unless the Government allowed winter fat stock prices to be settled by oP®n 9°mpetition there would be a shortage of fresh-killed meat. . . , In a further statement to-day, Mr Sullivan said that it was apparent that there had been a wrong conclusion, and that the opinion had been gamed that whereas extra costs would be taken into account in the price charged by traders, any extra costs incurred by the farmer would not be allowed. This was quite erroneous. The Minister explained that in his original statement he said that the export price would be a basis upon which local prices would be fixed.. There was no suggestion that variations froni this basic price, either upward or downward, would not be allowed. Fatteners of stock could' be assured that they would be allowed a price that would compensate therri for any extra costs in which they were involved, and the public could likewise be assured that the price would be such as would ensure an adequate supply of meat for the local market.