N.Z. WOOL PRICE RISE

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1942, Page 1

N.Z. WOOL PRICE RISE

Canterbury Growers REFUSE TO USE PART AS A RESERVE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 17. A suggestion was made by the Minister of Marketing, Hon. J'. G. Barclay, that a portion of the fifteen per cent, increase in the price being paid for the 1942 wool clip, by the .‘British Government, should be retained by the Nfew Zealand Government to safeguard the sheepfarming industry in the event of difficulties from the war. This suggestion was strongly opposed by members of the North Canterbury' Provincial Branch of the Farmer?’ Union, at a special ’meeting of the Meat, Wool and Emergency Committees. The meeting also passed a resolution opposing the Minister’s proposal that New Zealand woollen mills should not pay a fifteen per cent, increase on local woo] in line with the British Government’s increase. A circular has been addressed to all. of the provincial executives asking them to take urgent action on the Minister’s proposals by the Dominion President, Mr W. W. Mulholland. He revealed that, at a conference held in Wellington last week to discuss payment of increase, the Minister stated that if the sheepfarming industry is not prepared to set aside a reasonable reserve fund along the lines suggested, it might be necessary for him to recommend to Cabinet that, in subsequent seasons, the Government should purchase meat at the f.o.b. point only. Mr Barclay had also said that in the event of a serious shipping holdup, the sheep-farming industry could not 'expect the same measure of assistance from the Government as that which was available at present, and which reasonably might be continued if the industry is itself prepared to create a reserve fund.