POLITICAL NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16822, 30 May 1919, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

/STATEMENTS BY anNISTERB

THE FIXATION OF PRICES

Per Press Association. . WELLINGTON, May 29. ybpeakmg m connection -with the remits discussed at the Conference of the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Union the Hon W. D. S. Mac Donald said that as far as fixation of prices was concerned he knew it was a most difficult matter to deal with. It had been said at the, Conference that the fixation of prices and interfering with the produce of the farmers was done tor political purposes. That was not a fair statement. .Whatever had been done had been done to protect the produce of farmers of this country. The Minister went on to explain the position regarding the prices of butter and potatoes. With regard to potatoes he said the reason an embargo had been placed on their export was that the price soared from £3 15s to £l7, and afterwards to. £2O per ton. He kuew it was unfair to exercise drastic powers m connection with the produce of the soil, but they were living'under extraordinary conditions and food prices had gone up tremendously. They could not! wonder at industrial unrest when it was found that prices increased to such an extent. It could be understood, why workers asked for move wages, and why stop-work and the like meetings were held; HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Speaking of hydro-electric' power the Minister said it would be a good thing for the coal position in the country if cool, stores were connected up with hydro-electric power schemes. When the hydro-electric proposals of the Minister of Public Works became an accomplished fact fanners, should;.not rest content until' every cool store in the country was connected, with power supply stations^" \ '' '■' " ;: '''■'" ■■ "'■■■ "- ■

BUTTER, EQUALISATION SCHEME. ,-.■"• ' ■■■'-

1 The Hon D. Guthrie - said, there was' an idea abroad', that -the equalisation scheme in respect to butter pressed heavily;on exporters. The Cabinet was considering a suggestion to take from the ■ Consolidated :• Furidy the; money necessary to improve the-, position of; those producers whose butter was kept for local consumption at a lower price than that fixed for export. ' 1 AFFORESTATION. : ' Dealing with • the question "of waste lands Mr Guthrie said that Sir Francis Bell was fully alive to the necessity for such lands being planted as sooiv as possible. He felt sure that as soon as funds and : labour were available -Sir Francis Bell would go ahead with- - a vigorous policy. ; ■ :i