WOOL PAYMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24970, 17 July 1942, Page 2

WOOL PAYMENTS

THE POINT AT ISSUE EXPLANATION BY MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 16. In a statement to-night, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr J. G. Barclay, commented 6n certain aspects of reports relating to the Farmers’ Union conference. The Minister said that in view of the fact that the address by the president of the union, Mr W. W. Mulholland. still left the impression that it was the intention of the Government to withhold part of the rise in the price of wool granted by Britain, he must again state that it was the Government’s desire that every penny of the increase granted should go to the woolgrowers concerned. The point at issue was purdy whether it was desirable, in the interests of the country and the woolgrowers themselves, that they should receive the total payment immediately or agree to defer full payment to themselves until such time as additional goods and materials could i>e made available to offset this payment.

“ Moreover. Mr Mulholland suggests that the consumer should subsidise the woolgrower in relation to local wool,” the Minister added. “The wool industry could continue to supply local mills at, the present price and still receive over the total clip an increase of 13i per cent.—an additional reward comparing more than favourably with the increases granted to other sections of the community.” The Minister said that a statement by Mr H. E. Blyde that the Dairy Industry Council had accepted under protest the Government offer of a halfpenny per lb of butter-fat was entirely incorrect. Mr Barclay expressed the opinion as a result of bis recent visits to the main productive areas of the Dominion that the primary producer, except in areas affected by earthquake, flood, or drought, was, on the whole, enjoying a very adequate return for his efforts.