“GOVERNMENT HAS DONE ITS BEST”

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1937, Page 5

“GOVERNMENT HAS DONE ITS BEST”

Consensus Of Opinion At Dairy Conference [Special to “Northern Advocate”l HAMILTON, This Day. There was a strong division of opinion at the National Dairy Federation this morning on a remit by the Bush Dairy Companies’ Association that the conference should protest against the assumption by the Government of the marketing of dairy produce. Speakers in favour of the motion used such remarks as‘ ’’The farmer’s produce has been commandeered,” and “Russian methods of Government.” Some delegates expressed the opinion that dairy producers should have an opportunity of selling on the open market. It was stated that the dair}* - farmer did not own his own produce. The Government would not take' over the sale of wool and meat, the same asdairy produce. They were afraid of vested interests. An Amendment. An amendment was moved, that two months before the next election, a referendum should be taken of the bona fide dairy farmers re the guaranteed price.

The chairman, Mr A. Morton, was not prepared to take ,the amendment, but said he would accept it as a separate motion later. One speaker said that, according to the Emergency Act, 1934, the Government could take over everything, even a man’s farm. Know Where They Were. The present Government took over dairy produce under the Act, but certainly gave a guaranteed price said another speaker. Farmers knew today how to budget and knew where they were. This had not been possible before. He was surprised at intelligent men bring down such a resolution. A delegate: It is unjust to single out one industry. The Government has not only taken the wholesale, but also the retail’market away. Fairly Reasonable Deal. Speaking against the motion, . another delegate said the Government had piven a fairly reasonable deal to the dairy farmer. It was only for them to say if it would be a fair deal for the coming season. It would be better to wait and see what the Government would do in the futuie. The concensus of opinion was that, un to the present, the Government had done its best under the circumstances during the last 121 months. No Responsibility. Mr D. Beagley (Hastings) moved another amendment as follows: “That whilst the industry is prepared to co-operate with the Government in giving effect to the guaranteed price policy, the industry accepts no responsibility.” . The amendment was carried by an overwhelming majoi ity.