Farmers in Critical Mood

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 6

Farmers in Critical Mood

HASTINGS, Feb. 25. At the monthly meeting- of the Hawke’s Bay Fanners' Union, it was decided, on the motion of Mr. J. H. Winter, to write to the union's Dominion headquarters asking that information be obtained as to the price received from America for our dairy produce and the difference a pound between the New Zealand guaranteed price paid to the producer and the amount it sold for to the American Government. The matter was introduced by Mr. W. H. Hartree when he stated that the average price paid by manufacturers for wool in Australia was as follows: New South Wales, 12.05 d; Victoria, 13.55 d; Queensland, 12d; South Australia, 10.99 d; Western Australia, ll.OOd; Tasmania, 14.86 d. From July 1, 1942, manufacturers had to pay this appraisal value plus 25 per cent, for shorn wool and 17} per cent, for slipc wool, and an additional amount to bring it up to the export issue price, this to be deferred and payable only if manufactured goods were exported. “It is interesting to learn that, while we have to pay a subsidy to our wool manufacturers here, the boot is on the other foot in Australia,'' said Mr. Hartreo. “It would appear that the Government of this country is seeking to pay a portion of the Avar debt out of a certain section of the community,'' said Mr. J. H. Winter. In spite of the Government's efforts to stabilise prices and wages the Prime Minister had announced that the Government had made a profit of £58,000 out of the purchase of Picots, thus increasing the cost of living for those least able to bear it. In its stabilisation effort, the Government paid only 14d per lb. for butter, but received 2s lOd for it from America. “Wo would point out that the Gov. eminent has given an assurance that the guaranteed prices paid are for the purpose of stabilising prices and wages throughout New Zoalaud and to keep doAvn tho cost of living, and-if this is so, lioav does it come about that the Internal Marketing Board made a profit of £55,000 out of consumers, many of whom are the poorer section of the community, including pensioners, who have had to pay their share of this £58,000 profit made by a Government department?" asked Mr. Winter as an addition to his motion.