FOOD FOR STOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1946, Page 2

FOOD FOR STOCK

COMPULSORY SALES TO NORTH ISLAND CEILING PRICES FIXED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 1. “In view of a serious shortage of stock food in districts affected by drought, the Government has decided that surplus hay and chaff must be made available at reasonable prices to farmers who have suffered from drought in Auckland province and in parts of Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay,” said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Roberts) to-day. “Treasury loans will also be made available at a low rate of interest to those who have suffered from the drought and fire, and who cannot arrange finance through normal channels.

“The Price Tribunal has issued a price order, operative as from Monday next, March 4, fixing ceiling prices for fodder, viz:—Meadow hay at £7/10/- a ton; lucerne hay at £8 10/- per ton; chaff at £9/10/- per ton, sacks in. '

“These prices, which include the South Island merchants’ commismission, are on the f.o.b. basis • for the South Island, and f.o.r. basis for the North Island, and they are the maximum prices for prime grades of such fodder. It is expected that grades below prime hay and good bright oaten sheaf chaff will be purchased at lower figures. Government to Pay Freight

“There is at present a ceiling price for white oats (Price Order No. 470), and this, together with an embargo placed on the export of all oats, should effectively keep prices at normal levels. Should the position get out of hand, a ceiling price for all oats will be introduced.

“Realising that the cost of transport and other charges will be heavy in many districts, the Government will subsidise the cost of fodder in drought areas in lots of one ton or more. The cost of hay or chaff to the purchasing farmer will be the actual price paid for such fodder f.0.b., or f.0.r., as the case might be, plus 10/per ton at the purchaser’s nearest station or port. Thus meadow hay purchased in the South. Island at £7 10/- per ton f.o.b. will cost the farmer £8 per ton at his nearest railway station or port. The Government will, by subsidy, meet the freight and other charges,” said the Minister. “Distribution is being arranged through members of the New Zealand Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants 4 Federation. Committees consisting of representatives of Primary Production Councils, the Merchants’ Federation and the Department of Agriculture are being set up in each district to see that there is a fair and just allocation of this fodder. It must be clearly understood that this relief is being granted entirely because of phenomenal conditions brought about by drought, and it applies only to those districts affected by drought. That area is defined as: All those counties north of, and including, the counties of Waipukurau, Patangata, Waipawa, Hawke’s Bay, Taupo, Taumarunui and Waitomo.

Control of Distribution.

‘Where any farmer outside this defined area considers he has a claim for assistance; his application will be decided on its merits. Such application should, in the first place, be made to merchants who will, in turn contact the nearest Fields Officer of the Department of Agriculture. “Surveys have been made of the portion of the Dominion where there is likely to be surplus fodder, but it appears that the quantities available will not meet the demand. Committees will control distribution to effect the best possible coverage.” Outlining a scheme of assistance by way of Treasury loans, the Minister stated these would be on the same terms as those granted for flood damage, and would be available to those not able to obtain finance through the usual commercial channels.

STATE SUBSIDY SOUGHT

HFGTTEK PAYMENT OX

BUTTER EAT

(P.A.) CAMBRIDGE, March 1. Serious consequences which will result from the prolonged drought were discussed at considerable length

at a meeting of the Cambridge Dairy Company. On the motion of Mervyn and Wells, it was decided that an urgent reques.t be sent to ths Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Roberts) to make an immediate announcement of help to be given farmers who are faced with a loss of herds. The directors of the company stated that they were asking the Government for a supplementary payment of at least 4d per pound on all butterfat supplied during the whole season up to January 31, this to be paid to the farmers to purchase fodder and to enable their herds to be carried over -until the opening of next season. The directors said they considered that the earthquake fund could be utilised for the farmers. They pointed out that there was also a balance of £7,000,000 in the Dairy Industry Account.