DAIRY PRICES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1937, Page 6

DAIRY PRICES

UPHELD BY MINISTER. (Per Press Association—Copyright). WELLINGTON, September 21. “It surely is one ol the bravest and wisest experiments in social or econ-.. oinio legislation ever made in this or j any other country,” said >he Ministei for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. 1). G. Sullivan) when talking about the Government’s guaranteed price scheme during tile . Address-in-RepU debate in the House of Representatives i to-day. Mr Sullivan claimed,that the Opposition was -making a grave nus-.. take in not getting behind the Government and backing the principle of i guaranteed price: . , . . 'I Air Sullivan challenged the criticism of the scheme voiced earlier in the, debate by Mr AV. J., Poison (National, Stratford). He said be had seen inters which had come to the Government from farmers up and aown the country expressing gratitude for adopting the scheme. These letters aU proved Mr Poison’s claims to be wrong. Mr Sullivan said: “My argument was that the guaranteed price was all right if costs could only be kept d»>wn.” Air Poison interjected: “Aly reply to that is that the Government gave the whole, situation the most thorough and exhaustive Investigation it was possible to give before it fixed any price.

Air Sullivan said: “Every phase was taken into account, and T am sure that the investigation was just about, as complete as any that has ever been held in this country.” Air Poison : Then why not let us have the report on costs. “That is a matter for the Alinistoi and the Government,” Air Sullivan replied. “Rut I have a feeling that if the honourable gentleman had his wish he would not get any satisfaction in the point he has been pressing. I doubt ii it would strengthen his position to let him have all the reports ever made on the subject. However, it seems to me that in not getting behind the Go\eminent on the principle of the Guaranteed price scheme, the Opposition is making a grave mistake. Out of the maze which constituted the last depiession surely some way must be found which will enable u s to nvoil similar trouble. Here in this scheme is a method which is certainly departing from Hie old marketing systems and. the old principles, and may point a wav out of the differences involved vi

these recurring crisis. If this ,is so. and we have found a scheme which will do this, then surely the Opposition can see it a ssueh and support it.”