Farmers and Price Guarantees; Mr. Savage Wonders

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1939, Page 9

Farmers and Price Guarantees; Mr. Savage Wonders

[Per Press Association. — Copyright .] CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. “][ CANNOT REFRAIN FROM REFERRING TO THE POLITICAL LEADER OF THE NON-POLITICAL FARMERS’ UNION,” SAID THE PRIME MINISTER, MR SAVAGE, AT THE OPENING OF A FOOTWEAR FACTORY AT WOOLSTON YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, “‘He has been lighting guaranteed prices with in's voice, when, with his tongue in his cheek, he has been perambulating up and down the country getting a guaranteed price of 5/9 for h is wheat.” There was no reason at all, Mr Savage said; why the great - importance, of the primary production of this country should be overlooked, but he sometimes wondered why it was so di Hi cult to find out from their leaders just what the farmers wanted. When the Government came into power it made certain offers ,to the farmers, and one of the results was the guaranteed price which" had been made to the dairy industry. A great deal of abuse had been hurled at the scheme by the officers cf the Farmers' Union, but none had come from' the farmers themselves.

Shadow Fighting,

“The Farmers’ Union recently have been very busy fighting the shadow of some sort of guaranteed price for wool,” said Mr Savage. “Farmers must not think that this will be done at the muzzle of the rifle.

“If they want it themselves, and ask for it, that will be all right; but if they don’t, that will be just another worry off our shoulders. A great deal has been published, which has been alleged to be in the farmers’ name, against the' guaranteed prices; in fact, the leaders will publish anything.” Manufacturers Commended.

Mr Savage said that the attitude of the Farmers’ Union representatives was in striking contrast to the attitude of the Manufacturers’ Federation. The manufacturers were not satisfied with everything the Government did, but they were satisfied with the policy of the Government as a means of security for themselves. The organisation of manufacturing meant much more >nan the carrying of resolutions. There were tremendous ramifications, of which the control of imports and exchange was just a part. This control gave the Government an opportunity to select what was going to be imported. There did not seem to be anything unscientific about that. They were going to allot a certain proportion of the market to the manufacturer, so that he could see just what he had to do. It was like the primary producer: he was going to be given in some respects a guarantee. He would at least got protection from the effects of cheap labour overseas. The Government appreciated more than he could say the co-operation of the Manufacturers’ Federation and its branches throughout New Zealand.

Confidence in Dominion

"There had been a lot of talk about the big bad wolf just .around the corner, and about the country being bankrupt, said Mr Savage. When people thought they were bankrupt, then they were bankrupt, but the factories he had seen certainly did not look like it. New Zealand was not bankrupt. More people were coming here every day from overseas, and that was not because the country was bankrupt, but because they could see opportunities here.

Mr Savage said that he had greater confidence in New Zealand than ever, not only because of what lie had seen, but because of conversations he had had with manufacturers who had faith in themselves and in the future of New Zealand. They could take it from him that the Government was not going to let them down.