ARBITRATING THE PRICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22733, 20 May 1937, Page 10

ARBITRATING THE PRICE

Ample justification exists for the criticism offered at the Farmers' Union conference of the arbitrary and secret methods used by the Government in fixing the guaranteed prices for dairy produce. The price is dictated by the buyer without the seller being heard and without his being allowed any alternative. The farmer is left with no standing and no rights in the disposition of the product of his labour and effort. He is excluded from appealing against the Government's figure on any grounds -whatsoever. Such a highhanded action has no parallel in peacetime in a democracy. Hence the farmers seek no more than is reasonable and just in asking that they have a voice in a matter concerning them so closely. When the Government takes land, the price is determined by an impartial tribunal before which both buyer and seller receive a proper hearing. When the price of labour is in question, the case is referred to the Arbitration Court, consisting of a Judge and assessors representing the buyers and sellers of labour —the employers and the workers. Here again the issue is. not determined until both parties have been given full and open opportunity to present evidence and argument. Why should not the farmers be able to take their case before an impartial tribunal? Instead they are forced to accept the dictum of an interested party, the buyer, which is the Government, a party that may be guided by the deliberations in committee of its advisers but that is in no way bound thereby. Farmers should not rest content with so one-sided a proceeding, but continue to press for an "independent tribunal" to fix the price on the evidence placed openly before it, as suggested by the Franklin branch of the union.