“Credibility gap” over grain

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33419, 28 December 1973, Page 10

“Credibility gap” over grain

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Moyle) had created a “credibility gap” with his handling of grain prices; and his claims of “misinformation” when others warned of a cereal shortage had not been borne out by his own department, the National member of Parliament for Rakaia (Mr C. C. A. McLachlan) said yesterday.

Mr McLachlan was referring to a Press Association!l report on the estimate ji by the Department ofli Agriculture and Fisheries of 0 grain yields this season, (i which predicted a grain shor- : tage. I “If this is misinformation/

| can Mr Moyle explain why |his Government is prepared to pay $4.18 for wheat over--seas, plus freight, when he expects New Zealand farmers — in-the main my con-' stituents — to produce it at $1.62?” said Mr McLachlan. “His credibility gap opens! at that point. And his department’s estimate complements the statement. I have been making for nearly a year and predicts a grain shortage. Why will he not ■ listen to good advice? “In the years of a National Government we always paid; prices compatible with the imported price. Mr Moyle can check this if he wishes. - Surely his Under-Secretary! (Mr Barclay) knows better; than this. If he wants to de-!j stroy the industry, let him!do so. “All I have been trying to!' do was warn him of what/ was going to happen, and!; this is substantiated by his ; own department,” said Mr/ McLachlan.