PRIMARY PRODUCE MARKETING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23330, 16 May 1941, Page 8

PRIMARY PRODUCE MARKETING

DEFINITE STATEMENT WANTED CONFERENCE’S REQUESTS TO GOVERNMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 15. What was probably one of the most important and most representative conferences of primary producers held m New Zealand has concluded its sittings in Wellington. It was attended by representatives of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, the New Zealand Dairy Board, the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation, the New Zealand Dairy Federation, the Pig Industry Council, the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, bobby calf pools, and the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. It represented all the export-producing interests of New Zealand and their marketing boards. The reason for the. gathering was a general apprehension in regard to the marketing of primary produce in the future. Information placed before the conference indicated that while the position appeared to be a little easier than a little while ago, there was still little prospect of being able to market and ship overseas the whole of our production in the 1941-42 season. The conference made a close and detailed examination of the stock and storage position, and considerable uneasiness was expressed at the obscurity surrounding the Governments intentions, and particularly at its failure to make important key policy decisions which, it was urged, were absolutely necessary in order to enable producers to make their plans, and carry on their normal activities with their farming operations. A Government statement that if any section of producers sustained a severe loss they would not be required to carry it alone - was appreciated, but representatives of all types of production agreed in pointing out that tins statement was too nebulous to enable them to make any practical plans in dealing with their production, and strongly urged that the Government should immediately reduce its general statement in positive terms. It was stated that if f this were not done It would be Impossible for farmers to make the necessary provision for the maintenance of their production. Decisions Made A delegation was appointed to wait on the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash) and the Minister for Marketing (the Hon. J. Q. Barclay) find present to them the following resolutions which the conference arrived at: „

"(1) This conference strongly affirms its adherence to the principle of pro-ducer-control of the marketing of primary produce; “(2) That this conference recognises the necessity, during war time, for a substantial measure of' Government control, necessitating the Government’s taking full responsibility for the payment to primary producers of fi price which wifi maintain the productive capacity of farms in the interest of the nation; 1 “(3) The conference recognises that an economic crisis confronts New Zealand by reason of the expectation that large quantities of exportable produce will be delayed in shipment, or may only be disposed of-at heavy loss; “(4) The Government, having accepted the principle that any loss should be spread as equitably as possible over the whole community, the conference urges an immediate announcement of the implementation of this policy; “(5) That as the matter is of extreme urgency, the Government decide and make known to industries their policy in connexion with the disposal of primary products during the coming season;

“(6) That this combined conference of all sections of primary producer! urges that It is of vital importance to the bobby calf industry! and because of the complete dependence of the cheese arid rennet industry thereon, that decisions in respect of payment and conduct of the Industry during the war, and for the forthcoming season in particular, be made known at the earliest moment. Further, this conference strongly supports the principle that the industry would be handled most effectively under producer-con-trol.”

Before concluding its sessions, the conference appointed a committee to provide the necessary machinery for bringing together in one unit the various primary producers' organisations, and to make arrangements for the executive of the Primary Producers’ Council to endeavour to forward the interests of all primary producers, and particularly to deal with the present difficult situation,