FARM PRODUCTS IN N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 42, 20 February 1943, Page 4

FARM PRODUCTS IN N.Z.

INTERNAL MARKETING PROBLEMS MR. POLSON’S SUGGESTION (P.A.) Wellington, Feb. 19. Mr. W. J. Polson. M.P. for Stratford. In an interview, said that he had a suggestion which he thought might assist the Government In regard to the internal marketing of farm production. It was obvious, he said, that in regard to many products, including those outside the Internal Marketing Division's jurisdiction as well as those it controlled, the stage was all set for serious difficulties of supply, two of them winter milk and vegetables, the producers of which had not been well treated and the consumers were likely to suffer for this. "The producers of milk in the South Island, whose prices have been kept at depression levels, have not even yet j been given the war costs payment 4 other dairy farmers have been given.” said Mr. Polson. "Yet they have had to pay the higher wages awarded by the Government because payment has been made to some farmers. I don't think anyone will suggest that this is altogether honest. Recently we had a case of the Internal Marketing Division selling eggs under a wrong description, a thing no Government department should do. I know the difficulties of dealing with primary products from the Government point cf view. The Price Tribunal is simply just not fitted for the job, and also this whole business of price control Is entirely new to Government departments. We have heard a good deal ot talk about the Internal Marketing Board, which does not exist. My suggestion simply is to bring it into existence. I suggest that the Government get hold of a few men of integrity and make them into the Internal Marketing Board, giving them control of farm foodstuff products. Such a board, composed of men in whom the people have complete confidence, might be of very great assistance to the Government. It would do what Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Jackson have done in their respective spheres —get down to the problems and deal with them. “Some of the Government’s worst problems in regard to food have been hanging on for months, and even years," added Mr. Polson. "In regard to canning tomatoes in Nelson and the Hutt Valley, for instance, the Price Tribunal has ben deliberating for four months.”