Social Credit policy

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 16

Social Credit policy

Sir,—Socred’s Awarua candidate sees Socred agricuL tural policy as confidence restoring to the farming community by a system of guaranteed prices and costs at the farm gate. Cost claims would be monitored by "efficiency tests’’ by the Ministry of Agriculture. Farmers already have guaranteed farm prices, producer board schemes, a Government supplementary minimum prices scheme, and also a guaranteed cost scheme. To translate what a guaranteed cost scheme is in this context is difficult — possibly talking about meeting costs for efficient; farmers. This seems an extraordinary vague way of saying “subsidising efficient farmers.” Using the Ministry of Agriculture to police efficient farmers who claim costs reminds of police state tactics. The Ministry has plenty to do without running around checking on who are the efficient farmers. It would mean increased staff and Government expenditure. The policy statement is evidence that Socred has no idea of the realities of agriculture — no recognition of the true problems of New Zealand agriculture, and offers no real solutions. — Yours, etc., H. R. PEERS. B Mav 26. 1981.