DAIRY PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 5

DAIRY PRODUCE

«. THE GUARANTEED PRICE

NO SURPLUS LIKELY

A statement that no surplus will be available this year to increase the return to dairy farmers over the guaranteed price for dairy produce was made by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, when presenting prizes at a sports . meeting at Pukekawa. ■ Some farmers, said the Minister, were of opinion that the present price was not adequate. As a dairy farmer milking S5 cows, he regarded the price as a good one, compared with what it would have been had not the guarantee been introduced. However, there were those who, in view of the increased costs in other directions, and particularly in regard to labour, felt that an adjustment was due. No adjustment was possible this season. Mr. Martin said that an undertaking had; been given, that if there was a surplus in tha dairy marketing account at the end of the season it would be distributed to the industry after consultation with the industry. That undertaking would be kept. The Minister acknowledged, howeve.r, that at present he saw no prospect of a surplus. Another factor was the machinery in operation for deciding the necessity for alteration in the price: "It can be said without any hesitation whatever," Mr. Martin continued, "that if the price is not sufficient to give the dairy farmers the standard of iiving they are entitled to in comparison with other sections of the community, then an adjustment will be made." A committee was compiling data showing the movement of costs in the industry. It was receiving the co-operation of the dairy companies and others concerned. Increased costs would be taken into account, and the guaranteed price dealt with accordingly. Should an adjustment be warranted for next season, the new price would be announced than it was this season, to give those employing sharemilkers and others in a similar position better time to make agreements for the season.