PRIMARY PRODUCE CONTRACT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 254, 24 July 1944, Page 4

PRIMARY PRODUCE CONTRACT

Questions By Mr. Doidge TERMS OF AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN Dominion Special Service. TAURAN'GA, July 22. “Nearly two months ago it was announced from London that a new fouryear contract had been entered into between Britain and New Zealand for the purchase of our primary products. YVhy have we not yet been told of the terms of that long-term contract?” asked Air. Doidge, ALL*., when addressing a public meeting at Tauriko last night. “Some indication of the terms of that contract may perhaps be gleaned from the nature of an agreement recently arrived at between the British Government and the primary producers at Home, under which a new four-year guarantee operates as from the first day of the present month. Under that agree-, inent. prices go up, and are guaranteed till the summer of 1948. The new prices mean 25/- to 30/- more for each fat beast, and 10/- more for sheep, the guarantee being two shillings a live cwt. higher than the minimum for steers and heifers, and a penny halfpenny per lb. higher than the minimum for fat lambs aud sheep. “The really interesting feature m the new contract with the British primary producers is that it provides for an annual review of prices in regard to costs and statistical data. Actual prices will be settled year by year, iu the light of all relevant circumstances, after consultation with farmers’ organizations. “YVe are justified in asking several questions,” added Mr. Doidge. , “Does the four-year contract entered into by New Zealand provide for increased prices as good as those Air. Hudson, Alinister of Agriculture, has given to the British farmer? Does the contract wc have entered into provide for an annual review of prices? Does Air. Fraser come back to announce a fait accompli, or are the farmers’ organizations and Parliament to be first consulted? These questions are vitally important, since a fouryear contract must necessarily involve our whole economic outlook for the next four years.”