Britain’s Need, Not Price Reward, Incentive For Production Drive

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1944, Page 2

Britain’s Need, Not Price Reward, Incentive For Production Drive

The view that the reward offered to farmers by the Government’s recent pronouncement of new prices was not sufficient inducement for increased production, but that farmers would endeavour to produce more because of the urgent need of Britain, was evpressed by delegates at the Dairy Board conference in Whangarei on Monday and stated in a resolution adopted unanimously. Moved by Mr E. R. Bird (Kaitaia) and seconded by Mr S. W. Smith. M.P. for Bay of Islands, the following motion was approved: ’'While we, as individuals, will do our utmost to increase production, this conference regrets that the arrangements for production for the season 1944-45 were finalised prior to the holding of conferences of the industry, and is of the opinion that the rewards offered will not be sufficient encouragement to accomplish the objective of increasing production, but that the increase may come as a result of our desire to meet the needs of the British people.” Wrong Methods The method adopted by the Government in its calf subsidy would not result in any more than 200 calves being raised in the Dominion, Mr Smith predicted. The pig price he characterised as just silly, produced oy people who knew nothing about pig production, which would not be increased by an increase of id per lb. He was strongly opposed to the suggestion that the farmers were reaping money which in fact they were not getting. Mr Bird analysed the increased price to show that, on large production, the farmer did not secure an increase, and he contended that farm wages were too high for the farmer to pay them and too low to attract the best labour. Incentive for young men, where parents have brought in farms, to remain on farms had gone and they were being drawn away by other and more highly paid industries.

“I appeal for a complete new deal for the farmer," said Mr. Bird. "We have had a raw deal. We want to work and continue to work to regain that incentive of pro-ducer-control—the right to control our own affairs.”

Mr. E. G. Appleton (Northern Wairoa) asked if more information would be made available at the Dairy Board conference. The chairman of he board (Mr. W. E. Hale) replied in detail regarding discussions with the Government. The proposals had not come from the board, but from the Minister for Agriculture. He regretted that details had net been published, and he did not know why this had not been dene. It was a Government pronouncement, but he would endeavour to take the Minister for Agriculture to the next Dairy Eoard conference and perhaps further details would there be made available for the Minister. He was anxious to get the reaction of producers throughout the Dominion at the ward conferences. The pronouncement was better than the original proposals, said Mr. Hale. Mr. Smith: They must have been pretty bad. Mr. Hale said that the original proposal was for the payment of a subsidy over 15 per cent, of a herd. The board was not happy about it any more than the farmer. Production Basis In reply to Mr. K. M. Stevens (Maungatapere). Mr. Hale said that it was better to maintain the GOOO lbs. basis for a farm, as it was one of the lifebuoys of Ihe industry until a belter basis could be obtained. The pig price had been fixed with the Fig Council, but not in agreement with the council. Mr. H. W. James (Whangarei) stated. The price obtained was not within a quarter of what had been asked.

He believed that many farmers with relations overseas laboured under the delusion that men in the forces were to be released automatically to their farms, and he pointed out that it was a safeguard for them to lodge applications for return to their own farms.

Mr. D. Finlayscn (Maungaturoto) asked if anything had been done to reduce the standard of 250 ]bs. buttc-rlat per cow, Mr. Hale replying 1 that this had not been dene because it was tied in with the 6000 lbs. labour unit. The industry had considered 24C lbs. but Mr. Nash had made it 250 lbs.

Mr. F. McDonald (Hikurangi) suggested that the incidence of abortion might have been traced through fertilisers, variation on similar country but: with different fertilisers having been noted. Mr. J. R. Babe asked that an impression that the seasonal rise for pig meat look place on May 1 should be corrected. The seasonal rise took place on June 1. not May 1. Mr. Hale stated, a mistake having been made in a statement made at the Hamilton conference. Votes of thanks to members and officers of the Dairy Board for the information given to delegates were passed at the conclusion of .the conference. Replying. Mr. Hale suggested that the conference could be improved by delegates asking single questions instead of making speeches including a number of questions. By this means greater success attended conferences and it was possible to give greater information.