LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24537, 20 March 1943, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Wool Scouring Sir, —Time and space are too valuable these days to prolong an argument on the subject of wool scouring. In the first place I distinctly said "all the wool," and secondly, I did not suggest scrapping the existing plants. 1 concluded with "Look before you leap," and would suggest the Government gets the opinion of real wool experts, such as the Grey Lynn factory owners. They would guide it, gratis, on scouring all the wool, owing to the fact that wool lias to be treated according to its ultimate use. Carbonise all the wool, by all means, to avoid waste of space .and then proceed with marketing as before. C. Walton. The Political Future Sir, —Mr. J. Victor Macky's arguments in favour of higher salaries for members of Parliament for the purpose of improving their quality, defeat themselves. The opinion seems to be that "none will sweat but for promotion," the very typo, I should say, that we ought, if possible, to keep out of public life. Probably the best public service is given by those who receive no remuneration at all. Your correspondent makes particular reference to the Labour Party method of pooling salaries by means of which, lie says. Labour M.P.'s now receive £OOO. Would ho suggest that this increase in pay has produced a better political type in the Labour movement than the old-time social reformer who fought for principles and ideals without hope of reward? Members of the Labour Party itself say not. and many are extremely dissatisfied. There is only one way, a hard way. to improve the calibre of public ineu of any kind and any party. That is to increase the economic intelligence and public spirit of those by whom they are elected. Education is the remedy There are no short cuts. The process must begin in the schools and universities. G. Hknry. Dairy Produce Prices Sir,—The Primary Products Marketjig Act—the legislation dealing with ;he guaranteed price for dairy produce —was introduced in 1936. Its main object was to assure the dairy farmer in economic price for butter-fat which ivould be adjusted, as need arose, in iceordancc with the farmers' fluctuating xists of production. Under this Act, lairy farmers received the following x vera go pay-outs from their factories >er lb. of butter-fat: Year For butter For cheese 1030-87 .. .. 1.3.588(1 Io.ITISd 1937-38 .. .. 11.81(1 U3B-.39 .. .. ] (j'.l !)!)(! 18.Olid

[t will bo noted from the foregoing that, in the fir.st three seasons, the butter-fat price for butter-making was increased by 2.61 d per lb. and for cheese-making 2.89(1 per lb. These were peacetime'years, and the increases were made to cover the normal trend of rising prices then operating; there were no abnormal factors to bo taken into j account. Since tho 1938-.'jSJ season, however, the industry has . been working for nearly four years under war conditions —three of those years of steadily rising costs and increasing difficulties at the old pre-war prices of 10.19(1 and 18.06d —while for the current season the price has been increased by .Old per lb. butter-fat. Tho dairy farmers' production costs have increased very substantially, as have those of other producers, whether of primary or manufactured goods, and yet, in contrast with other sections of tho community, he has not recovered tho additional expenses in a higher cost for his product. The dairy industry is to-day running at a loss, and no industry can survive for long under those conditions. It is not over-stating tho facts to say that, unless tho position is remedied for the coming season, many dairy farmers will become bankrupt, and the largest industry in tho country fall into a serious position. The pre-war prices of 16.19 d and 18.0Gd were based on an average production per cow of 2501b. of butterfat; last season (1941-42), according to data compiled by the New Zealand Dairy Board, this average had fallen to 2161b. per cow, and authorities estimate that the average for the current season will be less than 2001b. per cow. 1 The facts speak for themselves, and it is evident that a higher price is essential if serious damage to New Zealand's most important industry is to be ■averted, A. G. Albxandbb.