FARMING COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 17

FARMING COSTS

THE SHEEP INDUSTRY CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT FACTOR OF OVERSEAS PRICES [by telegraph—own correspondent! BLENHEIM, Fridny The opinion that any prosperity which tho sheep industry had achieved was most emphatically not duo to any legislation or act on tho part of tho Government was expressed by tho president of tho Marl borough Sheepowners' Union, Mr. IT. H. Vavasour, at the annual meeting. On tho contrary, ho said, increases ifi tho costs of production had in nearly every instance been due to the direct action of tho present Government. Fortunately prices for produce had remained comparatively high during the past season and indications were, ho hoped, for a continuance ,011 about tho same level. "Mr. Neville Chamberlain is reported as having said that as soon as tho present rearmament programmo is completed a slackening of trade is anticipated," Mr. Vavasour proceeded. "If this means that wo must expect less for our produce-than tho narrowmargin of profit on which wo are now compelled to work, our prosperity will vanish, with a consequent return to slump conditions. In this connection the Government has told us that rather than permit this to happen it would take over* our produce and allow tho farmer remuneration commensurate with tho services rendered to tho community." This might bo well enough, said Mr. Vavasour, but ho reminded members that such remuneration might easily turn out to bo a book of coupons or worthless tickets. Tho ultimato price they received for their produce was determined abroad, and no juggling of prices within tho country could alter tho issue. "On these grounds alone tho prosperity of Now Zealand as a whole depends, and as primary producers it is incumbent on us to do our utmost to see that our costs are kept as low as possible," concluded tho president. "Therefore I ask onr members, as tho only means of achieving this, solidly to support their union during tho coming year. Individually we may achieve little, but collectively no Government can refuse to heed our demands for any length of time."