DAIRY INDUSTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19763, 19 December 1935, Page 8

DAIRY INDUSTRY

BONUS TO FARMERS. MINISTER’S STATEMENT. GUARANTEED PRICES TO FOLLOW. Speaking at Te Uku last night theMinister of Agriculture, the Hon. v\ • Lee Martin, said that he did not know, when he would be able to make a definite pronouncement as to when guaranteed prices would come into operation. The party _ was dealing with the question definitely. The Minister referred to the drop in prices ruling for butter. “As you know, butter was selling some months ago at 127 s and the price is now down to about 86s, with a tendency that it. will drop furthei. The Government will have to meet that position. Already I have been lu conference . with the Minister of Finance, who is responsible for finding the money, and I think I can promise the chairman that he will receive a bonus in connection with this year’s operations. It will not, of course, be on the lines of a guaranteed price. It will he more in the direction of a subsidy which will bring the price up to a payable level. Guaranteed prices cannot be put into operation until the necessary legislation has been passed.”

MINISTER’S STATEMENT. NO DELAY ANTICIPATED. The Minister of Agriculture, in a further statement thl-s morning, said that he was going Into the position of meeting the difficulties of the dairy farmer, in view of the drop in overseas prices. Many farmers were perturbed at the position and were pressing for some statement with regard to the future. The Minister stated that, until the whole economic situation had been surveyed it would not be possible to make any definite pronouncement on the question of guaranteed prices, but the Government was determined to live up to its promises, made during the election. As soon as possible guaranteed prices would become effective, and, in the meantime, he was in close touch with the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, and they were seeking a formula to meet the present position. The only way this could be done would be toy way of subsidy and this aspect was receiving careful consideration of the Government and the Ministers. It was essential that the primary producer should be in a position where he could meet his commitments, until such time as the guaranteed price was brought into operation. The Government would deal with tha position without delay.