PRODUCERS’ PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 14

PRODUCERS’ PROBLEMS

PRICE FIXING Sir,—ln your issue of the 23rd inst., that fussy old lady “The Welfare League” again takes up the cudgels in defence of her progress the “vested interests,” but in place of answering my plain question as to what was meant by "price fixing,” they have indulged in a series of platitudes, trivial generalities and a complete mistatement. of the facts. As to my ’'missing the point of the discussion,” somebody certainly has and I will leave the public to judge who. The 'League” states there has been no outside interference” with the business of the “Dairy Board.” Here are the facts, vide, the Prime Minister’s cable of October 27: “Influential deputation representative importers, blenders, multiple shops, wholesale provision merchants and retailers, has made very strong representations to me; firstly, objecting to ‘control’; secondly, protesting against ‘price fixing’; thirdly, objecting to tho manager London agency. Yet the “Welfare League” states, “there has been no outside interference.” As to “price fixing.” hero is a quotation from the Imperial Economic Committee’s report referring to the “dairy board.” By the regulation of shipments and orderly marketing, the quotation of prices to give a lead to the market they will greatly contribute to the stabilisation of the market and will benefit both producers and consumers. . , , Finally their imputation that the board is responsible for the “slump” is untenable. This is the fifth slump since the commandeer, and is the result of "free marketing” combined with the effects of the coal strike, the slump having occurred long before any "control shipments reached London. Since control, the price has improved by 2s. per cwt. The advance, though small, gives promise of better results when the board’s business is firmly established. If the “Welfare League” wishes to Justify its name, let it sink its prejudices. recognise the inevitable and in. stead of hampering the "board," give its assistance to a movement whose sole object is the "welfare” of a hard working section of the community, and as a natural corollary for the benefit of the whole Dominion.— t am. etc.. GRIMSDALE ANDERSON. Pelorus. November 27, 1926.