PRODUCERS' INTERESTS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 152, 24 December 1921, Page 7

PRODUCERS' INTERESTS

TO ENSURE SMOOTH WORKING.

These proposals are road* solely in the interests of producers, which were never more in need of being conserved than at present (stated the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Nosworthy, yesterday, referring to the meat pool scheme). The principles of the scheme are such as to enable producers to get their meat marketed under the best conditions and on their own behalf, and, moreover^, putting it into operation will establish a solid safeguard against the encroachment of powerful organisations whose interests are opposed to the true interests of the farmers of the Dominion.

Any farmer giving thought to the position existing to-day must realise that it is to his own advantage and the advantage of his fellow-farmers to have.a wellorganised and well-managed pool handled by the best business men obtainable, in which their own meat can be handled, and established on lines which will enable New Zealand to compete in the world's markets to the best advantage in these difficult times. The scheme is certainly a, .comprehensive one, and at first sight it may have been feared that it was going to upset altogether the existing trading methods,^ including those of all freezing companies. It certainly would involve some adjustment of methods in some cases, but in these cases a discussion between the interests., concerned and the Government should) result in clearing 'up satisfactorily any practical difficulties which may appear to exist at present; such as, for instance, the case of fanners desirous of selling their stock outright on the hoof, which can no doubt be arranged. The Government is tfesirous of affording the fullest opportunity for such discussions, as it realises that the closer the various Dominion interests concerned can be brought together the easier it will be for the scheme to" be quickly launched on a smooth working basis. In addition, the value of the good, welLestablished channels of distribution in the United Kingdom'is recognised, and it is proposed to take full advantage of these in conducting the selling operations of the pool. There is always a risk that misleading statements, calculated to create apprehension among farmers as to the effect upon them of the working of the pool, may be circulated. Farmers may rest assured that it is consideration for their true interests, and nothing else, which has prompted this movement, and their united support will ensure its successful establishment, with its attendant advantages of bringing about better marketing conditions., and helping to stabilise values on a. sound basis.