FARMERS SUPPORTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26228, 12 August 1946, Page 5

FARMERS SUPPORTED

DEMAND FOR HIGHER PRICES UNFAIR TREATMENT ALLEGED (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 10. The background to the action of the British farmers in threatening drastic measures in view of the Government’s refusal to submit the farm prices dispute to independent investigation is the recent increase of 10s weekly, in the wages of farm workers, which is estimated to cost the industry £25,000,000 annually. To meet it, the Governments offered to raise prices by £17,000,000, leaving the farmers to find £8,000,000, or 6s in every £l.

The Minister of Food, Mr Tom Williams, estimates, however, that the cost of the wage increase is only £18,500,000, with which he urges that the farmers ought to be content, since it is the equivalent of 18s 7d in the £. There would be a deficiency of only 7 per cent., which he is of the opinion should be amply met by “ the steady improvement in farming efficiency ’’ during the'lß months covered by the award. He adds that, in any case, the position will be reviewed again next February.

Commenting on the position, the Daily Telegraph says the embit-

terment of the farmers is readily intelligible. “They were encouraged,” it says, “ to frame their bud-, gets in accordance with a given relationship between costs and prices; then within a month or two they see costs arbitrarily altered by a statutory wage tribunal without receiving a corresponding revision of prices.”

The Daily Mail says; “Britain must have a sound, flourishing agriculture, but she cannot expect to get it on the cheap. She must pay good prices for good British food. If the Government can give Danish farmers more than they pay to the dominions there is no reason why British farmers should not also have a square deal.”