FARMERS RESENT PROVIDING SUBSIDY FOR CONSUMERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 October 1948, Page 4

FARMERS RESENT PROVIDING SUBSIDY FOR CONSUMERS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Dissatisfaction was expressed today by the Dominion president of Federated Farmers, Mr W. N. Perry, with the Government’s refusal to accede to the request that Ih- view of the exchange rate cut the ‘‘consumer subsidy provided by the farmer” in regard to hides, pelts, calfskins and tallow should be terminated. “The farmers are regarding the position with considerable resentment,” said Mr Perry. “The unfairness cannot be allowed to continue without being challenged and it will be a subject of further representations to the Government at an early date.” Mr Perry said the effect was that farmers’ subsidies had all been withdrawn and the farmers were consequently in a worse position. They maintained that it was unfair to have a direct subsidy from the producer to consumer.

Moreover, said Mr Perry, the Government’s suggestion in regard to the exchange rate alteration was that it was to the definite advantage of the consumer.

Seeing that the meat producer in particular had been severely penalised by the exchange alteration, added Mr Perry, it was unfair that the meat producer, of all people, should be asked to give subsidies to those who were said to have benefited from the restoration of parity.