FARM PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 11

FARM PROBLEMS

PRODUCERS CONFER FUTURE MARKETING POLICY CLEARER STATEMENT WANTED A series of resolutions passed by a representative conference of New Zealand primary producers held in Wellington this week is to be submitted to the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. The conference was attended by representatives of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, the New Zealand Dairy Board, the New Zealand Sheep-owners' Federation, the New Zealand Dairy Federation, the Pig Industry Council, the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, bobby calf pools, and the New Zealand Farmers' Union.

Among the six resolutions to be conveyed to the Minister is one in which tho conference strongly affirms its adherence to the principle of producer control of the marketing of primary produce. Another states that the conference recognises the necessity in wartime for a substantial measure of Government control, necessitating the Government taking full responsibility for payment to primary producers of a price which will maintain the productive capacity of the farms m the interests of the nation.

Export Difficulties "This conference recognises that an economic crisis confronts Now Zealand by reason of the expectation that large Quantities of exportable produce will be delayed in shipment, or may only be disposed of at a heavy loss," a third resolution says. Another reads as follows: "The Government, having accepted the principle that the loss should be spread as equitably as possible over the whole community, the conference urges an immediate announcement of the implementation of this policy." The conference also urged that; as a matter of extreme urgency the Government should decide and make known to the industries its policy in connection with the disposal of primary products during the coming season.

In a final resolution, the conference urges that it is of vital importance to the bobby calf industry, and because of the complete dependence of the cheese and rennet industry on it, that decisions concerning the payment and conduct of the industry during the war, particularly for the forthcoming season,, should be made known at the earliest possible moment. The conference appointed a committee to provide the necessary machinery for bringing together in one unit the various primary producers' organisations, and to arrange for the Executive Primary Producers' Council to endeavour to forward the interests of all primary producers, and particularly to deal with the present difficult situation, says an official report. Future Marketing Fears "The reason for this very important gathering was a general apprehension in regard to the marketing of primary produce in the future," the report bttates. "Information placed before the conference indicated that while tho position appeared to be a little easier than was the ease a, little while ago, there was still little prospect of being able to market and ship overseas the whole of our production in the 1941-12 season."

The conference made a close and detailed examination of the stock and storage position, the report continues. Considerable uneasiness was expressed at the obscurity which surrounded the Government's intentions, particularly at its failure to make important key policv decisions which it was urged were absolutely necessary to enable producers to make their plans and carry on normal farming. The Government's statement that if any section of the producers sustained a severe loss it would not be required to carry it alone was appreciated, the report says. Representatives of all types of production agreed that this statement was too nebulous to enable them to make any practical plans in dealing with their production, and sought an immediate and positive statement from the Government. It was stated that if this were not done it would be impossible for farmers to make the necessary provision to maintain production.