Guaranteed Prices

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 202, 23 May 1936, Page 11

Guaranteed Prices

-Sir.—Unless I am much mistaken it is only the careless, shiftless, unenterprising dairy-farmers who will welcome guaran-j ted prices. Of course, if they really wislt to aef as mere figureheads in regard to the disposal of their produce, well and good: I am sorry I spoke. I eannot believe that the majority of the dairy-farmers in New Zealand are in favour of being deprived of their British birthright of freedom, and that ,is what this scheme amounts to. I give them credit for more enterprise than that. No, I would prefer to put down the extraordinary apathy they have so far displayed toward this proposal to the carelessness usually shown by farmers toward polities, lint there are times when such indifference may become dangerous, and I think this is one of those occasions. The scheme has been put forward by the Hon. .Mr. Nash in the sincere belief that it. is in the best interests of the farmers, hut in practice I cannot see that it can be any more than a game of put and take; no one will be any better off in tin’ Imm run, and it may disorganise our whole trade. It is far better Io lake our chance in the world's markets, which are steadily rising. Even if the dairy-farmers did get a little more for their produce under this system than in the open market, which is very doubtful, it would be but poor compensation for the sacrifice of their freedom. Surely it would be more prudent for the Government to delay delinite action in regard to such a far-reach-ing proposal unt.il the Hon. Mr. Nash has been able to ascertain the attitude of the various interests at Home toward it. We .should also bear in mind that this scheme is intended to embrace all primary produce, in which case the whole of the farmers in New Zealand would occupy the same impotent position that the dairyfarmers are fast approaching. Before such a drastic step, involving as it does the taking over by the (loverument. of rhe main controlling interest in the private businesses of (be people, is taken, it should first he found by 'ole whether Ihe industries concerned are in favour of such action. The polling at the general election wits not sufficient to justify this, as very few important details of the scheme were available then, and the price which the dairy-farmers are to receive has not been disclosed even yet. All the money which may be spent upon education might as well have been thrown away if the spirit of independence. enterprise and emulation is lost. Messrs. Snvttce ami Nash are capable men ami hard worker-, therefore I appeal to them to weigh the points made in this letter.- 1 am. etc.. G. F. Mt HIRE. Bushy Park. May 21.