DAIRY FARMERS' TAXES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23061, 11 June 1938, Page 19

DAIRY FARMERS' TAXES

Sir, The only way the dairy farmers can get a fair and just hearing is to form a Dairy Farmer's Union. We have been imposed upon the past few years because we have no cohesion. ' The total dairy farmers in this country must exceed 100,000. It is the biggest industry of this country and one of the most important. The average union s main expense is the collecting of fees. As a suggestion, may each dairy company be responsible for 2s from every supplier who supplies 10,0001b. butterfat and under, and 2s 6d from every supplier who supplies over 10,0001b. We could then form a union without wasting money, of such a strength that we could demand justice. To bridge the gap between the dairy farmers' income and the terriffic additional costs, they should receive at least 3d per lb. over and above tho London parity on the 30,000 tons of butter sold locally. If the Government does not wish to increase the price of butter, that should come out of the consolidated fund like the fruit subsidy and the guarantee to the wheat farmers. It would help to enable us to meet the market as regards labour, which is the main serious question, and help us to enjoy the boom times which now prevail, which everybodv else enjoys Avith the exception of the dairy farmer. I understand the question is to be discussed for half an hour before the general meeting of the big dairy company in Hamilton. It -will then enable us to plan some definite action. W. H. Thompson, Whatawhata.