INFLATED COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23157, 1 October 1938, Page 14

INFLATED COSTS

THE SHEEP INDUSTRY FARMERS' GRAVE CONCERN ECONOMIC INQUIRY URGED [from our own correspondent] i HAMILTON, Friday " Sheep farmers are feeling the gravest alarm owing to falling prices and inflated costs of production," said Air. J. H. Furniss at a meeting of the provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to-day. "I have been in touch with sheep farmers in our own union and they all expressedthe greatest concern/' he added. Mr. Furniss said that as far as sheep farmers wore concerned their ability to pay wages was decreasing owing to increases in costs. The position 'was further aggravated by the recent in-' crease in wages to dairy farm workers. " The sheep farmer is in an unenviable position," continued Mr. Fnrniss. "The matter is one of extreme urgency and action should be taken and an inquiry urged without delay." . The chairman, Mr. G. T. Crawley, said it was growing less and less possible for sheep farmers ta carry on. Something should bo done in anendeavour to keep an industry which had been of great benefit to jthe Do-; minion iu existince. The following resolution, proposed by Mr. Furniss, was carried: —"This executive calls attention to the grave conditions of the sheep farming industry due to falling prices and arbitrarily inflated costs of production. It urges that an economic investigation by an impartial and competent authority be held •without delay to discuss tho degree of disability imposed on the farming industry, this inquiry to be preliminary to the taking of effective action for its removal." -