Farm Costs and Returns

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 126, 31 May 1944, Page 8

Farm Costs and Returns

There was plain speaking at the inter-Provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union in Palmerston North yesterday at the refusal of the Government to meet the call of the primary producers of the Dominion for increased prices for their produce and lowered farm costs. Mr. D. McGregor (Okoia) stated that other parts of the Empire were receiving better prices than New Zea? laud where costs were unjustly high/ Mr. W. J. Galloway (Otaki) said the natural way to increase production was to put in more capital but as far as the farmers were concerned, all they had got was an appeal to patriotism. If the farmers were given a just reAvard they would ‘‘do the job.” In Australia the dairy farmer was receiving 22d per lb. for butterfat but in New Zealand lfi.sG9d. For pigmeats Australia got 9d but New Zealand to 7d. Another delegate said the trouble in New Zealand was a class-conscious Government. Mr. L. Danicll (Wairarapa) said many of the farmers ’ troubles arose out of stabilisation and the men forming the Stabilisation Commission. He 1 urged a Royal Commission of three Supreme Court judges to review the actions of the Stabilisation Commission. Mr. Galloway (Otaki) endorsed the suggestion of a Commission, saying the farming industry had been called to bear almost the full weight of stabilisation despite the fact that it was producing 90 per cent, of the national wealth. He said the people handling the produce over the wharves were getting from 7s to Ss an hour against the Is 9d to 2s an hour which Avas the meagre reward of the farming community. It cost fid per lb. to put pigmeats on the market Avithout allowing anything for labour. Mr. Sutherland (Fordell) said the low prices paid for primary products were the biggest factors in the loav production. Mr. 11. J. McLeavcy (Oliau): The Government’s policy is to keep the farmers under heel in order to build up a standard of living for the cities. All avc get is an appeal to patriotism and it Avon’t mix with business. Mr. D. G. Gordon (Taihapc): It should be made plain that avc Ava'nt costs reduced because of the food call of Britain. The way we are going we arc building up a debt which will rest on the whole of the Dominion. Mr. V’. Cottle (Otaki) said the farmers were being crucified on the altar of patriotism. If the Government wants' production let them give us a decent price. The following motion was carried:— “That this conference is of the opinion that it is impossible to increase production adequately while costs are increasingly high and prices below world parity and we urge that a Royal Commission of three Supreme Court judges be asked for to review immediately the actions of the Stabilisation Commission.” The following remits, # relating to prices and production, were carried:— “That the conference reminds the Government of its promises to the dairy farmer in 1935 and asks that the guaranteed price ou which it was elected,

be implemented and strictly adhered to.” ‘‘That the Farmers’ Union, on behalf of the fat lamb breeders and sellers, expresses extreme dissatisfaction at the grading of Southdown lambs this season, whereby approximately fiO per cent, of Southdown lambs are graded as crossbred at id per lb.'less price. W e ask that the Meat Board and the Minister of Marketing have the grading system revised before next season.” ‘‘That in view',of the urgent call for increased meat production, this meeting urges tlie Government to have the price schedules reconstructed in terms ol wartime requirements.” ‘‘That this conference urges upon the Government the repeal of the I’at Stock Disposal Order which has proved a hindrance to. the attainment of the utmost meat production.” “That this conference support any endeavour by the Meat Board to arrange for the purchase of any freezing works offering, and, if possible, that their operations be on a 100 per cent, cooperative basis.” “That, with the object of building up the Dominion’s beef herds, the lulling of vealers under normal conditions be discouraged.”