FARMERS' BURDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 7

FARMERS' BURDEN

CHANGE TO CHEESE EXTRA COST INVOLVED GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY SOUGHT [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday "It is grossly unfair to expect individual farmers to stand the cost involved in. changing over from butterto cheese," said Mr. W Darrajl at a meeting of the South Auckland Dairy Association to-day, question of complying with .the Government s request .to increase-the output of cheese was being discussed. Mr.Darrall said the schome was a war effort, arid the extra' cost should be borne by the whole community. r The chairman,' Mr. S. A. Ferguson, said manv butter suppliers did not have suitable transport or road access for the carriage of milk for cheese manufacture. He considered these people should receive some form of subO. J. Parlano asked how the subsidy could be applied. The premium paid to cheese suppliers would go a long way to compensate for any extra costs involved. Many did not need a subsidy, for they would be well paid without it. Mr. J. L. Faulkner said the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, would not permit the industry- to impose a levy on suppliers to meet these costs. It was unfair that a few farmers should bear the whole of their additional costs. Mr. Parlane said the chief difficulty met with was due to shortage of cans. Several dairy factory representatives said they had numerous cans available in their districts. It was resolved to ask the New Zealand Dairy Board to approach the Government for the payment of a subsidy where required to enable suppliers to change from butter to cheese.