Farmers In Government’s Hands
With the Government controlling the stability of the dairyfarmer’s income. and also the price of butter on the local market, it could be in a position of supreme authority over the land and its produce, stated the Hen. Adam Hamilton. Leader of the Opposition, when discussing the guaranteed price scheme during his address in the Town Hall on Saturday night. “The Government knows that if it can commandeer produce, it will have the farmers in its hands.” he said. “We want to see the farmers' interests protected. I consider the present system of marketing in London satisfactory, but the New Zealand market is for those in the industry and the Government to decide upon. There is some vajue in having a system to guard against .a severe drop in prices, but the guaranteed price has not worked out for the benefit of farmers.
“The dual purpose of the guaranteed price is to stabilise the dairyfarmer’s income and also tile price of butter on the local market,” he added. “There is really no stability in price, as the Minister can make a change whenever he likes. Labour declares that the price on the open market and that inside the country bear no relationship to each other, but I maintain that the overseas price should determine the local price.” A system of compensating prices was strongly advocated as the only method by which the farmer could meet fluctuating changes in costs and obtain a reward for his labour and expenditure of capital. “The Government has come along when the cows are out, when there is no haymaking and no harvesting, and offer assistance to the farmers in their work.
“We have been accused of having sweated workers,” he continued. “But I ask you if ever there has been sweated labour as there has been in the dairyfarming industry of the past year or two. Women and children arc working in milking sheds and doing all kinds of work,, while men are in the towns and cities on sustenance. “What the farmers want is a means by which they can compete for their labour on a reasonable basis, added Mr Hamilton,
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 6
Word Count
362Farmers In Government’s Hands Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 6
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