FARMERS’ COSTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19012, 1 August 1933, Page 6

FARMERS’ COSTS.

A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

PRODUCTION AND RECEIPTB.

MEAT BOARD’S EFFORTS. (Special to Times). WELLINGTON, Monday. The wide disparity between production costs and the prices received by the farmer for his produce is still a very serious problem, states the annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. The chairman of the board, Mr D. Jones, who is in London in connection with shipping freight rates and other matters, is going closely into the whole position of cold-store rates In London and is co-operating with the representatives of Australia in a joint endeavour to secure a reduction In these rates.

The board has co-operated closely with the freezing companies of the Dominion in regard to matters relating to rates of pay and working-con-ditions in the freezing industry. In other directions, also, the board has been .working in furtherance of its ■policy of endeavouring to bring about reductions in costs.

The board has been pressing the Railway Department for a reduction in its tariffs. In October the board joined with other bodies representing the producers, and a joint deputation waited upon .the Prime Minister to again point out the need for these rates'being brought to a more reasonable level. In February of this year the Government announced a 15 per cent reduction in railway freight charges on certain commodities, including live-stock, frozen meat for export, hides, sheep-skins, calf-skins, wool, and tallow.