EXPORT LAMB PREMIUM

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 12

EXPORT LAMB PREMIUM

FARMERS CRITICISE PAYMENT

“ ROTTEN AND UNFAIR ” The paying of a premium of 8s a head for export lambs in the first week of the killing season, was described by several members of the executive of the North Canterbury Provincial district of Federated Farmers yesterday, as “rotten,” “unfair,” and “a payment to the favoured few.” Mr M. E. Jenkins, reporting on the lamb premium, said he hoped the farmers would not blame the federation for the way the money was to be distributed. In answer to Mr G. H. Blair, Mr Jenkins said the North Canterbury meat and wool section had not had a meeting since the scheme ’ was announced. He said he, personally, considered it was wrong to distribute the money in this way. Mr Blair said he considered the scheme “rotten.” The farmer who lambed in August was. under the scheme, favoured, but the man who lambed in September would get nothing. “It’s for the few in the favoured position,” said the president (Mr D. W. Gray). “From the point of view of sheep breeders in the South Island, the way they are distributing this money is very unfair,” said Mr L. C. Gardiner. “The money was earned by the lambs that everyone produced, but now it is going to the few and that, I consider, is unfair.” Mr H. G. Stephens said he had been told that the freezing companies in the South Island did not want to carry the scheme out, but they were forced to. “We want to make it quite clear that we are disappointed at this and also to make it clear that we are not responsible for the position that has arisen.” said Mr Jenkins. Mr Gray: It is the Government’s fault. No action was taken.