HEAVY INTEREST.
Dairy Farmers Seek Relief from Government. COMMISSION ASKED FOR. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 14. “ That the. perilous position of dairy farmers demands immediate action being taken to obtain relief from the heavy burden of interest rates and overhead costs generally,” was a remit from the North Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union discussed at to-day’s meeting of the Dominion Executive, which decided to approach the Government at once and urge the setting up of a Royal Commission. Moving the remit as a resolution, Mr 11. E. Blyde (North Taranaki) said that dairymen were in an impossible position. In the interests of the nation some relief should be given them. The position was drastic and disastrous, and he could say without fear of contradiction that 50 per cent of the dairy farmers of New Zealand were insolvent. The president, Mr W. J. Poison, M.P., moved as an amendment that the Government be urged to set up a commission. There was more in the problem, he said, than simply the existing position of dairy farmers. It was one that concerned the entire future of the industry, the outlook for which was not a particularly happy one. A national plan was needed. The only way he could see of evolving one was by means of a Royal Commission to examine every aspect. The president’s amendment was carried, Mr Blyde withdrawing his motion. It was decided to approach the Government at once, and arrangements were made for a deputation to meet the Prime Minister and Cabinet tomorrow morning. Quota Alternatives. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, February 14.
A significant expression of opinion regarding the Ottawa Agreement was conveyed by the Hon R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce, in the course of an interesting address at a complimentary luncheon tendered to him by the Chamber of Commerce to-day.
“ The present economic condition of the dairying industry of this Dominion is such that it calls for the most serious consideration,” he remarked.
“ There can be no gainsaying the fact that in view of the tremendous increase which is taking place in world production of produce, and the policy of nationalism being adopted by various producing nations, it is the responsibility not only of the Government, but also of the leaders in the industry itself, to take a serious look into the future.
“ While it is true that the Ottawa Agreement has still eighteen months to run the end must come, and it would appear that New Zealand might well have a review of the agreement with the object of seeing what may be done for the future. In the dairying industry we have no alternative of any great importance to Great Britain as a market for produce. “ Since the signing of the Ottawa Agreement the whole international outlook, in so far as our products are concerned, has changed,” the Minister continued. “In addition to that the policy of Great Britain with regard toagricultural production generally has also changed. The alternative so far suggested is that of a quota on Dominion produce, but the question arises whether there are not other alternatives, and whether serious consideration should not be given to placing a substantial quota on foreign produce in the first place.”
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 4
Word Count
540HEAVY INTEREST. Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 4
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