DAIRY EXPORTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22439, 20 September 1947, Page 6

DAIRY EXPORTS

PRICE ANNOUNCEMENTS FUNCTION OF COMMISSION (P.R.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 19. The Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, told the House of Representatives this morning that announcements regarding the prices of exported dairy products would not in future be made by the Government, as this was a function of the Dairy Products Commission. In an urgent question Mr. A- ,T. Murdoch (Opp., Marsden) asked if the Prime Minister could give an indication as to the probable date of announcement regarding the retrospective price to be paid for dairy' products for last season and the price for the present season. -

The Prime Minister replied that unless the Dairy Products Commission approached the Government for some purpose, it was not competent for himself or any other Minister to make any pronouncement.

The Leader of the Opposition,-Mr. S. G. Holland: The announcement regarding the cancellation of subsidies was made by the Government.

This was a Government matter, replied the Prime Minister, who. added that the ouestioner would not like the Government to intrude on the functions of a commission set up by the House. “I am asked to make a statement, but I cannot,” said Mr. Fraser.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opp., Central Otago): Is the price not a matter of common knowledge?

“If so, I am the only one left out,” replied the Prime Minister, “and if the member will let me know I will be grateful-” Mr. Bodkin: The Prime Minister has reached the age of innocence.