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Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 5

EXPORT PRODUCE

STATEMENT WANTED. POLICY IN WARTIME, i U'ress Assn.) WELLINGION, May 15. What was probably one of the most important and most representative | conierences ot primary producers held in New Zealand has concluded its sittings in Wellington. It was attended by representatives ot the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, New Zealand Dairy Board, New Zealand Sheepowners' Federation, New Zealand Dairy Federation. Pig Industry Council, New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation, the bobby-calf pools and the New Zealand Farmers' Union. It represented the whole export producing interests of New Zealand and their marketing boards. The reason for the gathering was a general apprehension in regard io the marketing oi primary produce in the future. The information placed before i the conference indicated that while the position appeared to be a little ; easier than a little while ago. there . was still little prospect of being able ! 1o market and ship overseas the whole j of our production in the 1941-42 season. :

! The conference made a close and de- ; tailed examination of the slock and I storage position and considerable un- ■ easiness wa-s expressed at the obscurity j surrounding the Government's intentions and particularly at its failure to J make important key policy decisions i which, it was urged, were absolutely I necessary in order to enable producers ; to make their plans and carry on their normal activities with their farming operations. The Government statement that if any section of the producers sustained severe loss they would not be required to carry it alone was appreciated, but representatives of all types of production agreed in pointing out that this statement was too nebulous to enable iheni to make practical plans in dealing with their production and they strongly urged that the Government, should immediately reduce its general statement to positive terms. It wan stated that if this were not done ii would be impossible for farmers to make the necessary provision for the maintenance of their production. A delegation was appointed to waif upon the Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister of Marketing and present to them the following resolutions which the conference arrived at:— (1) This conference strongly affirms its adherence to the principle of pro ducer control of the marketing of primary produce. (2) That this conference recognises the necessity during wartime for a substantial measure of Government control necessitating the Government's taking full responsibility for the payment to primary producers of a price which will maintain the productive capacity of farms in the interest or the nation.

(3) This conference recognises that nn economic crisis confronts New Zealand by reason of the expectation that large quantities of exportable produce will be delayed in shipment or may only be disposed of at heavy loss. (4) The Government having accepted the principle that the loss should bo spread as equitably ns possible over the whole community, the conference urges an immediate announcement of the implementation of this policy.

(5) That as a mailer of extreme urgency the Government decide and make known to the industries thenpolicy in connection with the disposal of primary products during the coming season.

(6) That this combined conference of all sections of primary producers urges that it is of vital importance for the bobby calf industry, and because of the complete dependence of the cheese and rennet industry thereon, that the decisions in rsneet to the payment and conduct of the industry during the war and for the forthcoming season in particular be made known at the earliest moment. Further. Ibis conference strongly supports the principle that the industry would be handled most effectively under producer control.

Before concludinu its sessions the conference appointed a committee to provide the necessary machinery for bringing together in one unit the various primary producers' organisations and to make arrangements for tin executive of the Primary Producers' Council to endeavour to forward the interests of all "primary producers and particularly to deal with the present difficult situation