VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25238, 29 May 1943, Page 2

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

Sir,—The fixing of low prices for certain lines of vegetables will seriously affect production, as growers are reluctant to plant crops which are definitely unpayable from an economic point of view. The index prices announced in the recent price- orders do not bear out the state-ment-made recently by the Prime Minister that the people could not expect cheap vegetables, as the producer is entitled to an adequate standard of living. Two meetings recently convened by the Internal Marketing Department and the Agricultural Department to enlist the cooperation of growers did not receive support. The Government .department’s officers asked growers to submit suggestions and all costs incurred in the production of certain vegetables, making the procedure appear democratic. Some very good suggestions were offered, but these, with prices submitted, were totally ignored. Thus it was subsequently obvious to growers that the whole proceedings constituted the bluff of the autocrat. The threat now held over growers, who maintain that prices offered are not only unremunerative, but ridiculous, is now conveyed in the Government's statement that State farms will produce to make good supplies that are inadequate.—l am, etc!, Chas. E. Pope, Past president,' Dominion Council Tomato, Berry Fruit, and Produce Growers.