GUARANTEED—COMPENSATING.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20126, 23 February 1937, Page 9

GUARANTEED—COMPENSATING.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Please let me thank Mr Hunter for his invitation to take part in a controversy as to whether there was any method, other than the compensating price, for ensuring the farmer a reasonable return. I am perhaps too old, or possibly not sufficiently enthusiastic, to chase red herrings now.

But I do like examining statements, and Mr Hunter is a prolific and always interesting source. Apparently he accepted Mr Barren’s version of guaranteed prices because both Mr Savage and Mr Nash were “vague on the more important details.” Does it not occur to him that If the men who devised the policy were vague it was risky, if not really foolish, to place such confidence on the interpretation given by a follower of those gentlemen? If they were feeling their way, what ground had Mr Barrell for confidence or Mr Hunter for such complete trust?

But let us stick to the point 1 originally made. When and where did Mr Hunter and his friends protest against the prices as outlined by Mr Nash in his Budget? In fact, did they protest at all? Is it not a fact that prior to the election the advocates of band fu/of men In fills'd Ist riel. ’unable lo get much of a hearing even from the farmers? Was Mr Hunter one of that select little party, or was he one of lire majority that supported and voted for Hie guaranteed price? If Messrs Savage and Nash were somewhat vague about certain aspects they could not lie accused of vagueness about Hie method in which the guaranteed price was to lie worked out. It was an average over a period. Did Mr Hunter protest against that basis? It' not, then surely it is reasonable to conclude that lie regarded it as assuring the “same tape.” llis protests now are made in the light of after events. Well, we can all lie wise then, and T concede that there is a great deal lo be said for the compensating price. It is being well said, by Mr llunler among others, and I can make Hint admission franklv. for I never accepted the guaranteed price, basis, and never expccled it to prove sal is factory. Amt I would suggest to Mr Hunter that tic should, instead of seeking for a way out of his present little (lilficiiily. admit that formerly he accepted the guarani I its merits, not solely on Mr Harrell’s interpretation, ami that In- has since seen that it contains little merit, either for the producers or the country.—l am. etc.. OLD LIBERAL. Hamilton. February 22.