Control Of Primary Production

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 5

Control Of Primary Production

Sir.—The .Minister of -Marketing. Mr. Nash, in reply to my charge of undue interference in matters relating to primary production which he knows nothing about, first declares that the Meat Board is responsible for the arrangements in connexion with the fat stock prices the farmer receives, and then goes on to inform us that tne hoard came specially to thank him “for allowing them in the main to determine the rules governing the relations of farmers and freezing companies.” How then does he explain the board's reply to me. as follows: “We regret that‘North Island companies have' thought it necessary to depart from the customary practice of purchasing stock, on the-farjn. In our opinion changes in the usual practice under war conditions should be avoided as far as possible. At a meeting of the board held last Friday it was decided thoroughly to investigate . the matter and to go into the position fully with the controller of primary industries." The dairy-farmers already kpow how little satisfaction they got out of "consultation” with the Minister, and the sheep-farmers are beginning to tind it out both in regard to meat and io wool. —I am, etc., AV. J. POLSON. stratfdrd. January 3.