STUDYING THE FIGURES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 11

STUDYING THE FIGURES

DAIRY FARMERS SATISFIED BETTER PAYOUT THAN LAST YEAR After a period of disappointment dairy farmers in the Wanganui district are definitely satisfied that the guaranteed price fixed by the Government, at least so far as butter is concerned, is fair. There was a general feeling in the industry prior to the day the fixed price was announced that the payout would be round about Is 2d per Jb. When the Ministerial announcement of 12 9-16 d was made the discrepancy between the two figures was so great that the first wave which affected the farmers was one of disappointment. That wave was still in fairly active force yesterday when a "Chronicle” reporter sought the opinion of various dairymen. Most of them, as was pointed out by the interviews, results of which were crystalised in an article published yesterday, believed that the 12 9-16 d applied to butterfat, and some of the opponents of the Government were prepared to bet that no factory could pay out more than that. Those farmers forgot the overrun, as was pointed out, and after calmly working the position out for themselves they realised that the price guaranteed, after all, was fair. Of course, a good deal of the apathy was engendered by that often wellrooted tendency of farmers to oppose anything and everything. The position in the butter industry at the moment is that suppliers will receive ■in the first payout, at the ■ very least, lid. It will probably be Is, with the very great probability that it will actually become Is Id before Christmas and extend over the whole season. Last year Okoia Dairy Company, on an average, paid out 9 5-8 d from month to month. Under the new scheme the farmer starts off with lid or Is and will get that from the jump, without having to wait for 3d or 4d per lb. of it until after the factory’s year is ended. "Payment of Is at the beginning of the season and a knowledge that the price can’t be less than that will do me,” said a dairy farmer yesterday, when asked to comment on the attitude at the Wangaehu Dairy Company’s annual meeting. "I was disappointed when I heard Mr. Nash give the actual price, forgetting for the moment that the price he was quoting was for butter and not butterfat. Worked out in butterfat equivalent, and allowing for a half-penny per lb. rise in costs, I cannot see the suppliers getting loss than Is Id per lb. It will be a shilling at least, and any of the Wanganui factories paying out a shilling would be quite safe. The attitude at Wangaehu was to be expected. Some may have been disappointed at the actual price because the market is buoyant. But let us wait a less buoyant period. That will be the test.” • Actually, the farmers have become protected from the hurly-burly of marketing. They have their guaranteed price and it will depend on the economic management of their respective factories how reasonably they reap reward. The burden of marketing New Zealand’s butter and cheese has passed to the hands of the country itself, for better or for worse. In the meantime, the dairyman, despite the glow in the market, is realising that he has been offered a protection which he has never enjoyed before. Working costs and re-adjust-ment to altered conditions of labour will involve the industry in serious thought for the next few months, but the dairyman, judging -by the Wangaehu resolution, is facing up to the position and going to make the best of what he once thought was disappointing, but which only close examinations means not a bad start. BUSINESS NOTES SUPERIOR SALE OF HIGH-CLASS FURNITURE AND EFFECTS. TO-MORROW, SATURDAY, AT 12 NOON SHARP. Messrs. Sharpe, North and Co. draw special attention to a sale to be held by them to-morrow (Saturday), when they have been instructed by the trustees in the estate of the late H. B. Willis, to sell the whole of the valuable furniture and effects. Everything is in splendid condition and full list will be found in our auction columns. The sale will be held at the residence. No. 32 Bell Street (just off Guyton Street), and commences at 12 noon sharp. WANGANUI AUCTION MART. F. C. Atkinson and Co. will sell from their mart at 12 noon to-day, poultry, all fruit and full platform assorted vegetables, timber and usual sundries. Also at 2 p.m., a continuation of the drapery sale at Keith Street Sample Rooms, when there will be bargains in all lines. This sale will also continue at 7 p.m. CLEARING SALE PATEA. TO-MORROW (SATURDAY), AUG. 8. John Coull will sell for Mrs. Scott, at her residence, lhe Beach, Patea. to-morrow (Saturday), August 8, the whole of her household furnishings, including Stewart Warner wireless set as new, beautiful piano-player, handsome sideboard, complete furnishings for dining, bedroom and kitchen. Also motor launch, poultry, lady’s bike, etc. On view Saturday morning. VEGETABLE, FURNITURE AND CLOTHING SALES TO-DAY (FRIDAY). John Coull will sell at his sale rooms, Maria Place, to-day (Friday), at 1 p.m., meat, live and dressed poultry, all vegetables, fruit, bacon, smoked fish, grapefruit, etc. At 2.30 p.m.: Household furniture, sundries and clothing of every description.