FREE MARKET FOR FAT STOCK

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 106, 29 January 1940, Page 6

FREE MARKET FOR FAT STOCK

Request To Minister “I note that the agricultural editor of -The Dominion’ lias suggested that ilte Farmers’ Union should take up witli tlie Government the question of a free market, for fat stock for next winter,” said Mr. A. P. O’Shea, Dominion secretary of tin- New Zealand l-’armers’ Union, on Saturday. This ha< been done, hut tin- Minister of Supply will not give an undertaking that there will be a free market. '1 lie furthest that Ihe Minister is prepared io go is Iliat he will undertake that the necessity for compensating farmers for extra costs incurred in carrying stock for winter and spring periods will lie recognized. "This cost, of course, varies tremendously from district to district and from farm to farm, and it would be almost impossible to assess exact figures to apply' even to one province. The whole point of the matter, however, is that, there must be a certain amount of risk each way if the community is to be ensured of its supply of winter meat If farmers know that they will be free to take that risk there will always be enough of them who undertake Hie business to ensure dial ihe demand is supplied. lhej will not take I lie risk of holding stock for winter sale (particularly cattle) if they are not sure that the risk is worth taking. “The Minister of Supply will have to make up bis mind before the end of the autumn what lie intends to do about thisoproblem. If farmers are not reassured 1 can see a good deal ol frozen beef being eaten next winter.”