STABILISATION IN NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26127, 1 June 1950, Page 4

STABILISATION IN NEW ZEALAND

RELATION TO FAR?,! PRICES FARMERS SEEK INQUIRY INTO TRADING (New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL. May 31. “ft would not be difficult to establish that, through the stabilisation per; id. the primary producer has given upwards of £50.0C0,000 towards the economic stabilisation of this country.” said Mr A. V. Hartley at the annual provincial conference of Federated Farmers of Southland. Mr Hartley based his remarks on a statement made by Mr D. L. Martin, of the Fed rated Farmers’ research briinch in Wellington, that for the year 1948 alone, the difference between the New Zealand stabilised prices and the export parity for four of the Dominion’s main lines was upwards of £11.750 000. The farming industry must realise. Mr Hartley said, that it was part of an economic unit- a most essential one certainly—but not the "be all and end all” of the nation’s economy. Any price, whether on the cost of production or otherwise, which would endanger the stability of New Zealand, must be ruled out. “I am of the opinion that no Government. however well intentioned or we'l disposed towards the producer can pay more than the price realised from the sale of produce, stabilisation funds notwithstanding.” he added. After Mr Hartley’s address, the conference decided to ask the national executive of Federated Farmers to request the Government to set up an exI pert committee to inquire into the de- | sirability of ending stabilisation. T'ne [ conference asked also that the com- [ mittce should include in its terms of I reference an examination of the Do--1 minion’s internal and external trading, ial least since 1945. and should give "serious consideration to an urgent return to sane trading ”