DAIRYING CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1934, Page 5

DAIRYING CONFERENCE

-■ w REQUEST FOR SUBSIDY. I[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ’ “_ 1 WELLINGTON, March 15. On the motion of Mr Waite, seconded by Mi’ Andrews, the Dairy Conference resolved: That this Conference is of opinion that in order to enable the dairy farmer to pay living expenses, and also expenses for the reasonable maintenance of his farm, a subsidy of approximately twopence per pound of butterfat should be paid, and that this subsidy should continue until satisfactory arrangements have been,made with Great Britain, or until a time that farming costs are so reduced that such subsidy can be discontinued.” Another resolution carried was to the effect: That, if the Government refused to make this subsidy, it should make an advance of a similar amount to the dairy industry, with a provision tor its repayment. A further resolution passed asks for he setting up of a Royal Commission :o consider ways and means of imiroving the efficiency of the dairy inlustry. An alternative resolution was as folows: “That if the Government is untble to pay a subsidy of two pence per b as provided in the resolution al■eady carried then the Government be isked to make the payment of similar imount per lb. by way of an advance | to the industry; the repayment of such advance being provided for in the following manner: When the general I average price of butterfat exceeds ten pence per lb. by at least one halfpenny per lb., then the Government shall collect a levy of one halfpenny per lb. ' until the full amount of the advance is - repaid. ; The following resolution was adopt- , ed: “That the Government be urged 1 immediately to reduce farm costs- ’ through the derating of farms, the re- • duction of interest, reduction of rates, * reduction of tariffs, and also through ♦ an economic rationalisation of industry.” •

A Committee consisting of Messrs ❖ Waite, Polson, lorns, Grounds, Agar f and G. A. Duncan, was set up by the «$• Dairy Conference to consider the re- f solutions relative to a subsidy or an * advance. * Further committees set up were as t follow: — a

Local market stabilisation committee—Messrs Grounds, A. J. Sinclair, S. A. Broadbelt, S. Smith and John Fisher. Farm dairy instruction committee: Messrs F. H. Anderson, C. B. Michie, R. H. McKenzie, D. G. Begley, A. W. Clark. Derating of farm lands etc. committee: Messrs H. E. Blyde, J. Dunlop, Q. Donald, S. Andrews, P. Saxton, D. G. Begley, F. H. Anderson, F. E. Cullen, J. H. Sutherland. J. W. Kime.

MR FORBES’ STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, March 15. The members of the Dairy Board, and members of the committee set up by the Dairy Conference met members of the Cabinet this morning. Mr Forbes said that the Dairy Board had discussed the question of sending a delegation to England, but no finality had been reached, and a further meeting would take place next week. Mr Forbes also said, that so far, the proposal for a subsidy of twopence per pound has not been placed officially before Cabinet.