FARMERS' LEADER DISCHARGES DISTASTEFUL DUTY

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 6

FARMERS' LEADER DISCHARGES DISTASTEFUL DUTY

If N.Z. Cannot Live Within Income At Peak Prices, What If They Fall? "WELLINGTON, Last Night (LA).- —“The position which Jias arisen as the result of the recent increase in standard wage rates awarded by the Arbitration Court should cause New Zealanders to think very hard,” said Mr. W. N. Perry, Dominion president of Federated Farmers, today.

“At present we are receiving all-time peak prices for our dairy produce, but the eost structure which we have built up in New Zealand has forced the Dairy Products Marketing Commission to increase the price to the New Zealand farmer to an amount greater than that which we are receiving for the produce. The Commission had no option but to do this, and it should be remembered that this increased price still does not make provision for payment for week-end work which is adequate as compared with what other sections of the community receive for overtime effort. “These facts should cause concern to all responsible and thinking people in New Zealand. If New Zealand is

living outside its income at the time of peak prices, what is going to happen when prices fall? Shall we be then able to carry the not inconsiderable financial burden which we have assumed in regard to social services if we are over-spending now? “It seems to me that the people of this country should be doing some very hard thinking. I am afraid that in building up this cost structure as we have done, we are creating conditions which are going to make it most difficult for us in time of recession. If recession does occur, a good deal of blame is going to be attached to somebody. All I want to do is to make it clear that the' farmers of New Zealand see danger ahead. Having done that I have discharged a duty which, however distatsteful to me personally, is one that I cannot honourably avoid.’’