PRODUCE DEFICIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 8

PRODUCE DEFICIT.

QUESTIONS FOR AIINISTER. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, June 8. Following the announcement by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. AY. Lee Alartin), at the South Island Dairy Association’s meeting, that this season the deficit in the butter and cheese sold under the Government’s marketing scheme was estimated at £1,827,000, several questions were asked. Air D. F. Rout-ledge: In the event of a deficit, is that a present to the dairy-farmer, in view of the fact that 95 per cent, of New Zealand’s exports come from the land? The -Minister: AVlien the guaranteed price was introduced Hie Government undertook to pay a price which would give to tlie dairy-farmer a reward lor tlic service lie was rendering. A\ here there is a surplus after Hie first year it goes into the industrial account to offset any deficit in future. AYc are guaranteeing to the farmer a certain price from August 1 to July 31 each year. When lie was asked if he could give an indication of the figure of the payout to dairy-farmers for the 1939-40 season, the Minister replied that Mr Nash would probably bo hack in the Dominion before the time for its announcement. “There lias been a considerable number of discussions between Air Nash and Air Hale (chairman of the Dairy Board), and I think the Alinister was disappointed that the industry did not accept the proposals lie put to it. He felt that in the circumstances the industry might have met him. “It will fall to my lot. if Air Nash is not hack, to make’a recommendation to Cabinet! I am in touch with him over the question of dairy prices, and it is not possible for me, at this moment, to make a statement with regard to Hie guaranteed price, hut I hope that the price will benefit and he to the satisfaction ol the industry. T am a dairy-farmer myself and 1 know what is a fair price.”