For the Man on the Land

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3273, 2 March 1937, Page 3

For the Man on the Land

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE BUTTER MARKET ?

DOMINION PRODUCT LOSES GROUND

Drawing attention to the fact that the price for New Zealand butter on the London market was receding, while the product of other countries was claiming an increasingly high premium, Mr G. L. Marshall (Marton), speaking at a recent meeting of the Wellington Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union, held in Feilding, considered that there should be an immediate independent investigation of the position. Last week, he said, Danish butter was as much as 31/- a cwt more than the New Zealand article, while the difference used to be about 12/a cwt. He had heard privately that Tooley Street was now controlling the whole of our butter sales and that the small trader had been eliminated.

He had been informed that this had resulted from the action of the New Zealand Government, and that the elimination of small traders had killed healthy competition. The position was too serious to be allowed to go without question ,and he favoured an independent investigation in order that farmers might know the true position and the reasons for it. He moved that the Dominion executive of the union be asked to consider a proposal for the appointment of a competent business man in London to investigate and report on the position with particular reference to the question as to how far the elimination of competition was influencing the existing position. "Our prestige over other butters is unfortunately slipping," said the chairman (Mr Lloyd Hammond), "and there should be some explanation forthcoming." He went on to say that Mr Marshall's remarks were only too true as to the increasing premiums now being enjoyed by the butter of other countries. The fact that the dairy farmer was getting a guaranteed price did not cause him to worry over the existing position, but the speaker felt that the taxpayer would be worrying when he had to find a million or two to make up the deficit of the guaranteed price. Mr D. Scott (Taihape) thought the position was due to the action of the Government in upsetting the London marketing organisation. He would second the motion. Mr D. Smith (Mangaweka) felt that the position was due to rival groups in London playing one Government against another. Agents had lost the handling of the New Zealand article and in consequence had taken up the product of another country.

It was agreed to carry the resolution and also to ask the New Zealand Marketing Board for an explanation of the position.

FARMING IN ENGLAND

A RISE IN THE WAGES Wages of farm workers in England has risen. The decision has been taken by several country wages committees and approved by the Agricultural Wages Board. In Berkshire the minimum rate is to be raised by 1/- to 32/- a week of 50 hours. In Buckinghamshire the minimum rate becomes 33/- instead of 32/-. In Derbyshire the minimum rate is 8d an hour, and provision is made for payment at not less than 36/- a week of 54 hours for wholetime workers. In Hampshire and Wiltshire the minimum rate remains at 31/- a week, and at 32/- in Notinghamshire. In Norfolk the minimum rate for 50 hours in summer and 48 in winter becomes 33/6 instead of 31/6; with an additional 5/6 for teamsmen, cowmen and shepherds. The minimum rates in Surrey for skilled workers, horsemen, stockmen and shepherds is to be 40/-, and the rate for other workers. 33/4. In Denbigh and Flint, the general minimum rates become 31/forday men and 36/6 for stockmen.

These changes * in. minimum wage rates arc further evidence of .the general rise in farm Wages. Farmers realise that higher labour costs are inevitable if skilled men are to be kept on the farms and not induced to leave the land for other employment. Unfortunately, farm incomes are not keeping pace with the rise in wages, and many farmers are faced with the necessity of employing less labour.

CONTROL OF WOOL AND MEAT THREAT

TIME FOR FARMERS TO TAKE ACTION

"Unless we make a move we might be too late and fall into the same predicament that producers of butter and cheese are in," remarked Mr D. Scott (Taihape) at a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union when referring to the possibility of the Government taking over wool and meat and offering a guaranteed price. From what he had heard he thought that the proposal was likely to be put into execution and he therefore .proposed: "That as there is a grave danger in the near future of the present Labour Government fixing prices for meat and wool on similar lines to those concerning butter and cheese this executive views the position with very great concern and requests the Dominion Executive to approach the Government proposing that a referendum be taken giving all farmers interested an opportunity to voice their their opinion before any such legislation is adopted." "That move is quite on the cards," remarked Mr A. G. Coleman (Marton) in seconding the motion. If the Government took over both meat and wool it would give them a chance to balance their budget, he said. Mr G. L. Marshall (Marton) did not think there would be any action while wool was remunerative. "I heard that it was the plan of the Government to Sovietise New Zealand," said Mr Scoit. So long as wool remained high there would be no action, said Mr F. L. Fetzer (Ohakune). Farmers could not forget that the days of individual bargaining had passed and today it was a case of government versus government. If the price of wool fell farmers might ask for a guaranteed price, but while it was high he did not think any action would be taken.

Mr Coleman further stated that the trouble was that in the past the country had experienced men to handle the Dominion's produce but today it was being handled by inexperienced men who knew nothing about the business of marketing produce. The resolution was carried, unanimously.