THE GUARANTEED PRICES

Evening Star, Issue 23351, 22 August 1939, Page 5

THE GUARANTEED PRICES

PRINCIPLE RIGHT-PRICE INADEQUATE [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, August 21. A statement that the Farmers’ Union on no occasion had advocated the abolition of the guaranteed price for dairy produce was made by Mr A. R. O’Shea, Dominion secretary of the union, this evening. Mr O’Shea stated that what the .iniion objected to was the inadequacy of the price. “ The union has been quoted as attacking the guaranteed price and itself lias been made the object of a deliberate attack,” Mr O’Shea said. “ Before the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) made bis statement that the Government would have to look into vtho question of ending the guaranteed price scheme, the only resolutions passed by the Farmers’ Union were that the recommendations of the Price Advisory Committe should be adhered to a-nd these were exactly m line with resolutions passed by tho South Island Dairy Association, the Dairy Board Conference, and the National Dairy Conference. Therefore, when the Government attacks, the Farmers’ Union on its attitude to the guaranteed price it attacks the whole dairy' industry.” Mr O’Shea referred to statements made by the Dominion president of the union (Mr W. AV. Mulholland) about the guaranteed price scheme. He said that Air Alulholland, as a believer in co-operative enterprise, had stated that if the Government was prepared to hand back control of the dairy farmers he personally would welcome it. The president was expressing his own personal opinion. which, however, was absolutely in line with the union’s policy. Mr Mulholland was one of the leaders of thought'as applied to co-operation in New Zealand.' “ There has been a suggestion by one. member of tho Government because of the union’s attitude that what is termed in trade union circles as a ‘ scab union ’ of farmers should be formed.” Air O’Shea said. “ I wonder what the Government would think if the leaders of the Farmers’ Union suggested that the same course should be taken among the workers.” The resolutions carried by big factory companies in Taranaki had supported the unions Air O’Shea added, but these resolutions had received no publicity in the Press.