DAIRY PROBLEM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 7

DAIRY PROBLEM

OPPOSITION LEADER’S VIEW. MORTGAGE ADJUSTMENT f F«r rre<« Association. ] WHANGAREI, May 8. Speaking at a large meeting at th! Town Hall last night, the Leader oi the Opposition (Mr. M. J. Savage) stated that, while everyone would agree that the dairy industry needed assistance, he *would not agree with the attitude taken up by the Prime Minister in the matter of the restoration of wages and salaries. Thf Prime Minister had stated that th< time was not opportune for the restoration of the wages and salary cuts, but it was difficult to see where any real assistance to the dairy farmer could come from unless the people had the money to pay any increase in the price of butter that might be decided upon. If the income of the people was allowed to remain as at present, it was an economic fallacy to think that any rise in the price of butter could possibly benefit the farmer, except to enjoy a reasonable standard of life. That could be accomplished if the dairy farmer were told what was expected of him, and he were given a guaranteed price, based upon the readjustment of farm costs, but to raise the pric« of butter or any other commodity without at the same time 1 making financial provision for the people who were expected to pay the increased price would only Ire fooling the farmer and everyone else concerned. The only foundation for increased prices was increased monetary incomes for those with lesf than an ample standard of living. Mr. Savage received a vote of thank* and confidence.