GUARANTEED PRICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 15

GUARANTEED PRICES

Sir, —Your correspondents "New Zealander" and "Waikato Farmer," with many others, apparently miss the main point of objection to the present unsatisfactory position of the dairy farmer. 1 think the average farmer approves of the marketing scheme and is also satisfied that the price guaranteed is a reasonably fair one, were it not for the fact that he has to meet so many additional costs as a result of the present Government legislation. The position, as I see it, is that tha dairy farmer has been placed back to the 1914 price level, while town workers' wages are not only restored to the 1931 level, but are to be increased and their hours reduced to 40 per week. That farming costs are rising cannot bo denied. Totara posts until recently were retailed at £lO per 100; today they are £l7 per 100. Milking machinery and pumping machinery go up 7 per cent on September 1 and practically everything a farmer requires is rising in sympathy. The Minister of Agriculture is reported to have stated recently that both Mr. Savage and Mr. Nash have made it plain that any surplus in the dairy account at end of season goes to the farmer. Actually both gentlemen made it plain that any such surplus will bo used for the benefit of the industry, and it was hinted that it will be used for research or, in other words, it will provide the means for some trips abroad while the producer sparches hia pocket for the means to carry him over winter. Actually the Government is legislating only for one class —-.the town workers —and, after reviewing their achievements, one wonders what will happen if the depression returns or something unforeseen occurs to reduce the national income. Let me tell "Waikato Farmer" that I, too, have discussed the position with numerous farmers and 1 have yet to meet one who can honestly sav that he feels the Government is giving him a square deal. In spite of "New Zealauder's" tilt at the late Government, it cannot be denied that Messrs. Coates and Forbes, no matter what their faults, brought the country through the worst period it has ever had to face. Farmer Bill.