The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1936. GUARANTEED PRICES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13311, 18 July 1936, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1936. GUARANTEED PRICES.

I t was evident when fixed pi ices for butter and cheese were guaranteed bv the State that the price paid con id nr it be the same irrespective ot the quality of the produce. If second grade butter obtained the same return as finest the tendency would be for there to be a general slipping down of quality. The joy of working for the State and not for themselves is not sufficient to spur people to exert their best efforts. This sad fact has been recognised in Russia, where piecework is adopted when possible and shock brigades give the worker a lead in putting forth his best efforts. It is kind not to refer to this defect in the socialist system. Our Labour Government has realised the need for paying more for good butter and cheese than for poor quality stuff, and has fixed a scale of payment which will reward the good farmer for his efforts to produce the best quality. The scale has been fixed after careful investigation by experts, and the only criticism we can offer is that the rewards and penalties seem somewhat small tc produce the best results; they can, however, be made gi eater if the results desired are not attained. The basic guaranteed price will be paid for finest butter grading 93 to 934; butter grading 94 and over will receive a bonus of Is 2d per cwt.*, or ’d per lb. Going downwards in the scale, butter of first grade, with 92 to 92 £ points, will be paid 7d per cwt. less than the basic price, equal to l-16d per lb; with points 90 to 91£ the reduction will b© 2s 4d per cwt. or in the lb; second grade butter will receive payment at 7s per cwt. or §d per lb. less than the basic price. I"or cheese the basic guaranteed price willbe paid for first quality with 92 to 92£ points; finest, 93 to 93£ will receive Is 2d per cwt., or id per lb. more, and for points 94 and over the addition will be Is s£d per cwt., or 5.32 d. First grade points 91 to 911, will receive 7d per cwt., or l-16d per lb. less than the basic price, .arid second grade, 2s 4d per cwt., or $d per lb. less than the basic level. The grading system will remain exactly as at present. Jt is interesting to compare these differences with the bonus given for first milk for accredited herds m Britain. Accredited milk receives Tel per gallon more than non-accredited. J'ms Is equal to about 2d per lb. on butter, whereas our difference is only gd, less than one penny. We shall certainly have to give better rewards for first quality milk, butter and cheese.