Govt policies ‘disastrous’

Press, 6 July 1988, Page 6

Govt policies ‘disastrous’

PA Masterton The chairman of the Wool Board, Mr Pat Morrison, has lashed out at “disastrous Government monetary policies” and “textbook theorists” in a vigorous defence of New Zealand producer boards.

Addressing 150 farmers at Kahutara on Monday, Mr Morrison said this month’s deficit blow-out prediction was proof the Government’s Treasury advisers “do not know what they are talking about.” There were no less than four “high powered Government quango committees conducting separate reviews on the future of producer boards.” Along with a three member Government caucus committee, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Economic Development Commission, Treasury officials were now looking at the future of the Dairy, Apple and Pear, Meat and Wool boards.

“Earnest young men are searching their textbooks for ways to improve what are already very, very successful operations without which farmers, and indeed the whole New Zealand economy,

would be much worse off,” Mr Morrison said. “News that the (projected) Government deficit has leapt from $1.2 billion in March to $l.B billion in May and now stands at a possible $3.2 billion shows conclusively Treasury officials would be better employed about their own affairs than steeling their . knives against the producer boards.”

Mr Morrison said the Wool Board was employing its levy derived revenue in the best interests of farmers, the wool industry and the economy.