PROTEST BY FARMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23471, 7 October 1939, Page 16

PROTEST BY FARMERS

INCREASED COSTS EQUiTABLE RATE WANTED DISCUSSION IN HAMILTON [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday A protest ngainst the Government's decision to make no increase in the guaranteed price for the coming season was made at a meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union in Hamilton to-day. The meeting expressed its willingness to make any sacrifices which other sections of the community wore called upon to make, but considered that the price decided upon would not be sufficient to covet the costs of production.

Mr. J. H. Furniss moved a remit that the Fanners' Union-- should strongly resent the refusal of the Government to give any heed to the repre-sentatives-of the primary producers'in fixing the price to be paid in New Zealand money. Not only was the price 3d per lb. lower than that unanimously recommended by the 1938-39 Advisory Committee, but increases in productive cost's had sinco taken place. Further increases were inevitable under the Government's policy. "/"While supporting Mr. Furniss' motion, I do not think we are at present, in" a position to criticise the guaranteed price," said Mr. W. N. Perry. "We do not know the price the Imperial Government ' has paid for the butter and cheese, and until that price is announced we are not in a position to".criticise." >

The chairman, Mr. G. T. Crawley, 6aid the farmer only wanted a price to cover the costs of production. "We have been asked to increase production, but this cannot be done Unless the farmer receives an equitable price for his produce," said Mr. F. C. Roberts. "We have got to tell the Government that they will not get increased production unless they settle the whole question now."

Mr. Furniss' remit was unanimously approved.