Producers’ Marketing Bill

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 11

Producers’ Marketing Bill

Sir. —A letter from Mr. D. Sutherland (Fordell) in your issue of May 14 was headed “A Guarantee that Isn’t.” If ever a body of producers worked under “A Guarantee that Isn't” they arc doing that under the existing marketing system. Ido not know if your corresponddent is a dairy-farmer or if he is subject to the heavy obligations of the generality of dairy-farmers, of which 55 per cent.. the Dairy Commission reported, were nearing a hopeless state of insolvency. If he is one of these men, it is difficult to understand his reasoning. If he is net one of these men, then perhaps it is just as easy to understand his reasoning. If your correspondent were to read the Bill and the hon. member’s speech that accompanied the Bill he would perhaps be in a better position to express an opinion. Fortunately your correspondent s sentiments are not held by a very large section and probably it in just as well. The legislation is a real effort to improve the conditions of a large body of the producers who are actually producing sterling values to. meet to a great extent our national responsibilities, and for this reason it is the duty of the Legislature to do all it can to see to it that they get the economic value so far ae.it can be ascertained of the value of their product. The dairy-farmer will receive the full value of everything he produces—he will get more—he will get a guarantee so far as it can be calculated of its economic cost and the full benefit of any excess received for the product by the State. Your correspondent would be better employed if he would throw his weight into the cause the Government has at heart, and that is to improve as far as it is humanly possible the serious and difficult circumstances of the dairy producers. ’ . , The country is fortunate m having such a sterling, honourable and able man as the Hon. Walter Nash in charge, of marketing, whose one and only objective is I repeat, to improve the lot. of Hie dairy-farmer.—l am, etc.. Wellington. May 18.