THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6239, 7 June 1946, Page 6

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

MR A. J. SINCLAIR’S RECENT STATEMENT COMMENT BY NATIONAL PARTY JOURNAL The statement made last week by Mr A. J. Sinclair, of Te Awamutu, giving the views of the dairy industry concerning the marketing of dairy produce, was of national importance, states “Freedom,” since it again indicates plainly, on the authority of one of the leading men in the industry, that farmers are dissatisfied with the present position. In a recent Labour pamphlet, “The Ten Good Years” (a curious title, seeing that the “ten good years” include the war period), it is claimed by the author, Mr M. Moohan, that Labour set out to give the fanner some security so that he could plan ahead on a proper price level, and run his farm on a common-sense basis.

There has been no period in the history of New Zealand farming when farmers had greater difficulty in planning ahead. Far from helping their planning, the Government policy has hindered it. Mr Moohan asserts that the Government “guaranteed a reasonable price to the farmer.” He says nothing about Mr Nash’s refusal to accept the price recommended by his own expert tribunal. He avoids the delicate subject of unceasing rise in costs, which has defeated the guaranteed price just as it has oefeated wage increases among urban workers.

The farmers are the best judges of how they have been treated; and today, as the Labour Party well knows, the farming community is solidly opposed to it. “The marketing of dairy produce,” says Mr Sinclair, “should be removed entirely from political control.” That is a principle enunciated in the National Party election manifesto in 1943, in the words: “Producer-control of production and marketing, in co-operation with the Government.” Under this plan the Government would lend its support and assistance, but the producer’s rights in connection with the marketing of his produce w T ould not be forfeited, as is the case to-day. Discussing the question of price, Mr Sinclair put forward a proposal identical with that which is found in the National Party policy. Said Mr Sinclair; “The plan provides for a minimum price below which the farmer must not be paid, irrespective of realisations, and a maximum which must not be exceeded should the market take an upward trend.” In the event of there being a balance above the agreed maximum price, he said, this should be paid into an equalisation account. This in effect conforms with the plan advocated by Mr Holland, of minimum and ceiling prices. It is gratifying to know that the views of producers’ spokesmen harmonise with vital features of the policy which the National Party will submit to the