Marketing of Primary Produce

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19523, 24 June 1933, Page 15

Marketing of Primary Produce

Rehabilitation of British Farmer

The attitude of the British farmer oward thfe regulation of the marketng of primary produce and the control jf imports is set out by the agricultural correspondent of the London

imes in a discussion of the measures necessary for the rehabilitation of British farming. He says it would je misleading to suggest that the prolucers really like the scheming and planning for their industry which is proceeding at present. If necessity did not drive them to reorganisation schemes they would much rather be left to their own devices in production and marketing. Nature may work to a plan in the reproduction of crops and stocks, but the secret . ad teen denied farmers. There were practical limits to orderly production and marketing. "It is, then, with some scepticism that the ordinary farmer welcomes the Agricultural Marketing Bill,” says the writer. “Nevertheless, he will take the word of the Minister of Agriculture that producers’ marketing boards and mark- committees to advise on the regulation of home and imported food supplies in accord with the needs of the market offer the most promising line of salvation for British agriculture in present circumstances. Definite Action Welcome. "Farmers generally are so relieved to find at last some definite action being taken to assist their industry that they are not disposed to be un-

duly critical of the means adopted. In the past the home producer has had to fight with the rest of the world for a place in the market. It has often been a losing fight, particularly in the past few years when the world's markets have been surfeited and the home producer has been faced with a series of bankrupt sales from abroad The Minister of Agriculture has now laid it down that replacement value should be the criterion of price in the future. In other words, our market will no longer be left unprotected to serve as the dumpi»g ground for surplus produce unloaded here at prices below the cost of production in this country. No one will question that the realisation In practice of this principal would bring salvation to British agriculture.” Control of Home Production. The method now to be tried involves measures for the control of home production as well as imported supplies, the correspondent proceeds. lender the present bill the marketing boards which farmers are setting up will be given powers to regulate the quantity of a product which is to be sold as well as to regulate the variety or grade under the powers afforded m Dr Addison's Marketing Act. The appropriate Ministers are also to be empowered in certain circumstances to regulate the quantity of the home product which may be sold. Restriction I of output is not an °xnedient which j

appeals to farmers. The general opinion is that there will be plenty of room in the home market for all the output from British farms if an effective check is put on imported supplies. The Crux of the Matter. “The bill further makes provision for co-operation between producers of primary and secondary products; for instance, between pig breeders and bacon curers, on the lines which the Pig Commission recommended. But most important from the British farmers’ point of view is the power which the bill gives the Board of Trade to regulate the quantity of the imported supply of any agricultural product if home producers are operating, or even preparing, a marketing scheme for this product. "This is really the crux of the matter. Marketing schemes to regulate home production, however ingeniously drawn, are doomed to failure unless they are accompanied by the effective control of imports which now dominate tile market. It should be noted that in regulating imports the Board of Trade is to have regard also to the Interests of consumers, to the effect on commercial relations with other ; countries, and to existing trade treat- j ies. Farmers are expressing the hope j that it will be made clear that these ! considerations, important as they are. j should not prevent the reasonable exoansion of home production under the! stimulus of marketing schemes" j