Farmers’ comment

Press, 21 November 1981, Page 2

Farmers’ comment

Farmers had watched the New Zealand economy being pumped up to peak on November 28, said Mr E. W.” Turrell, chairman of North Canterbury. Federated Farmers meat and wool section, yesterday. Speaking at a meeting of the section’s executive, Mr Turrell said pumping up the economy would increase the rate of inflation and “destroy ability to compete in world markets and maintain farm, production.” He said he had an uneasy feeling about the immediate future. Farmers were being

encouraged by Government to increase production on farms but saw no Government resolve to control inflation, reduce its own spending, or direct the economy, Mr Turrell said. “Farmers need profitability and we are being deprived of this by Government inaction,” he said. Thursday’s Dunedin wool sale made headlines because of a record price. What. should have made the headlines was that the . Government supplement on wool had been reduced from 24 per cent to 22.4 per cent.