FARMERS’ OPPOSITION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6139, 21 September 1945, Page 4

FARMERS’ OPPOSITION

BUTCHERS’ DEPRECIATION OF MEAT PRICES Strong opposition to any action taken fey butchers toward depreciating prices in the local meat market was expressed at a meeting of the newlyformed Masterton branch of the New Zealand Federated Farmers. A resolution was moved by Mr A. Ross expressing this opposition, and the motion was carried. “We should resent any action which will depreciate fat stock prices,” said Mr Ross. “We should leave the subject alone because I don’t think Mr Ross’s fears will materialise,” said Mr Alan Keir. Mir A. Forsberg said there should be highly competitive prices for fat stock, especially in the spring, because of the increased costs to farmers in wintering stock. “Farmers who are enterprising enough to winter and fatten stock are entitled to receive good prices for the outlay,” said the president, Mr R. E. Chamberlain, speaking in support of the protest. Mr W. J. Thomas, provincial president of the Farmers’ Union, said an endeavour had been made at Addington to peg prices through one buyer for butchers. They should resist any scheme to supply butchers at schedule prices rather than competitive prices. Mr P. D. McLachlan said the protest was a move in the right direction and stated that the law of supply and demand should operate. Regarding the sale of fat stock, Mr Forsberg said they favoured the auction system. There was, he said, too great a difference between what the producer received and what the consumer paid. Mr Ross strongly opposed any move to gain an increase in revenue for butchers by paying producers less for their stock. He objected to any scheme for pegging the price of meat. Mr J. R. Eaton said farmers would have to say whether or not they would sell their produce at pegged prices. After further discussion Mr Ross’s motion was carried.