PRIMARY PRODUCERS PLEASED WITH THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1950, Page 4

PRIMARY PRODUCERS PLEASED WITH THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA).—Many people had told hint that a great weight had been lifted off them, that they could now live their own lives in their own way, and that at last New Zealand had a Government which would legislate for all classes of the community without favouritism, said Mr. E. B. Gordon (Govt., Rangitlkei) in the House of Representatives this afternoon, when the Addresa-in-Reply debate was continued. Mr. Gordon said he was pleased to see that the Minister of Agricultura had been restored to his rightful place —next to the Prime Minister—in the Government, and he thought that all farmers would feel very gratified and that justice would be done to them. “The primary producers are delighted at the change of Government," said Mr. Gordon. “Hitherto, they have received only what the former Minister of Finance thought fit. But the primary producers “do not forget that the previous Government got away with £28,000,000 of their funds." Mr. Gordon said it was the previou* Government which lifted the subsidy on fertiliser and consequently made the task of increasing production harder and it was the Government which deliberately cut the farmers’ incomes 25 per cent, when it altered the exchange rate. The new Government would help and encourage primary production and since confidence had been restored by the change of Government increased production, wfiich was so necessary, would result. Mr. (Jordon said the Government would encourage more primary production by providing more rural houses, extension of electrify reticulation to rural areas and by making more labour available to farmers. "It is almost impossible to get farm labour today,” he said, urging that if suitable farmer immigrants from Britain and the Continent could be obtained the position'would be alleviated to some extent. “The Government could also assist by bringing single women into tha country to help farmers’ wives,” said Mr. Gordon. “They need all the help they can get, and if the Government will secure this assistance it will be very helpful.” Reticulation of rural areas had lagged under th? Labour Government, and he hoped something would be done to speed up the supply of electricity to more remote areas. Mr. Gordon said he believed some of the wheel tractor accidents could have been prevented had the tractors been fitted with devices which protected the drivers and prevented the tractors overturning. He urged the Minister of Agriculture to confer with the Meat Board in an endeavour to find a market for heavyweight ewe mutton, and so prevent an accumulation of that product here. Heavyweight ewe mutton and frozen pig were in the "not wanted" class of meats, or were saleable only at a reduced price. “There’is no use hoping and waiting for something to turn up" he said. “We have heard a lot of talk about starving millions in the world. I know they are not in a position to buy this meat, but there are organisations which could and are able to distribute it.” He thought that dollar markets could well be secured through that class of meat. He asked If any steps were being taken to reintroduce the chiller meat trade with Britain, and added that it would be great benefit to many producers if that trade could be revived, as chilled meat could compete with the Argentine product.