THE GUARANTEED PRICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 229, 26 August 1938, Page 5

THE GUARANTEED PRICE

UNANIMITY OF OPINION. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, Aug. 25. “The second year under the guaranteed price scheme has run its course and, because of good market realisations and after allowing for the supplementary payment, a fairly substantial credit is assured in the Dairy Industry Account,” commented Mr W. Marshall, acting-chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, at the annual meeting to-day. “This will, in all_ probability, be carried, forward, but it is inherent in the scheme that at some date, as values fall, a deficit will be encoun“The scheme, as it affects the producer, has been a fertile source of discussion in the industry, and it is exceedingly gratifying to_ record that at every Dominion gathering of representatives held during the year complete unanimity was reached. I think the Dairy Board has proved its value as an executive of the industry, the National Dairy Association lias demonstrated its usefulness, and the Fanners Union has shown breadth of vision. The cumulative effect of this has been to obtain an agreement with the Government, wliich was acceptable to representatives of the industry, as to. the procedure to be followed in advising what the price should be. . “A reduction of 6.5 per cent, m the general production recorded in the Dominion as a whole is a serious mattei for industry and tho country, and if it so happens that we have reached the peak of dairy production in the Ancleland province, it must mive tarreaching consequences,. for the industrial activity associated with development work, from the point of commencement on the farm to the placing of produce f.0.b.. has contributed m no small measure to the rapid advancement of the province,” added Mr Marshall. “Reasons for the decline which, I think, require attention are the difficulty in obtaining suitable farm labour and diseases in stock. Undoubtedly’the former is the greater contributing factor, and it is imperative that some change should bc^ effected before further harm is done.