The Waikato Times FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1937. GUARANTEED PRICE

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20247, 16 July 1937, Page 6

The Waikato Times FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1937. GUARANTEED PRICE

The chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board would not have made public his belief that the guaranteed prices for the coming year will not be known until tho return of the Hon. TV. Nash to the Dominion unless he had what he considered good grounds for that conclusion. Mr Murdoch knows that the figures are being awaited with exceptional interest, because they will mark the commencement of what the Government hopes will be the permanent system in the purchase and marketing of dairy produce. Then it is known that the special committee appointed to make recommendations with regard to prices has been considering data relating to costs and the other factors mentioned in the Act and the producers are anxious to know to what extent the findings of the committee have influenced the final decision of the Minister. Doubtless many of them, and also other people, will regard it as a striking development of the socialistic system when a basic industry must wait for the decision of a Minister, or a Ministry, as to the price that the State will pay for the whole of the exportable surplus.

Some time ago the acting-Minister of Marketing said that the non-receipt of detailed information regarding costs on farms was hindering the work of the special committee and might delay the announcement of the prices to be paid for the 1937-38 season, but later reports have shown that the report would probably be available in ample time for Cabinet to consider the matter before August 1. The chairman of the Dairy Board does not mention any delay with respect to reports as being responsible for any postponement of the price announcement, but simply the. fact that Mr Nash will not have returned. It probably will be about the middle of August before the Minister of Marketing is again in Wellington. He will have to face a very strenuous programme, but, if the prices for dairy produce and cheese have not been made public then that matter should have precedence of _all others.

‘ A year ago the position was very different. Premature disclosure of the prices might have played into the hands of interested parties. That would not be the case this year for no company or individual is now able to export dairy produce without official permission. The only unexpected factor has been the prolonged absence of the Minister. It is desirable, as Mr Murdoch has said, that the producers should be informed as soon as possible what the prices are to be, in order that they may prepare their own budgets and producers would not be inclined to agree to the official statement always being dependent upon the presence of any particular Minister. They may be willing to accept the position .this year as being exceptional, but that does not remove the necessity for a statement of prices at the earliest possible moment.