TRIBUNAL SOUGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 10

TRIBUNAL SOUGHT

GUARANTEED PRICE DESIRE OF INDUSTRY CABINET TO CONSIDER (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday An assurance that if the dairy industry desired the guaranteed price to be fixed by an Independent tribune! lie would have the matter discussed by Cabinet, was given by the Hon W. Nash, Minister of Marketing, at the Dairy Board conference to-day. Mr Nash said he was not.wedded to the present procedure, although he believed it was the best for the industry. The conference discussed a remit suggesting that the tribunal be presided over by a Supreme Court Judge with assessors representing the Government and the producers. Finally, tlm matter was referred to a special committee which will meet to-night and report to the conference tomorrow. Farmers Must Have Say "The farmers will never be satisfied unless they have a say in fixing the price." said Mr F. 0. R. Phillips New Zealand Go-operative Dairy Company;. “This is the only fair way of doing it.” Mr W. X. Perry northern ward) said Ills view was that even if there was a tribunal the Government would not accept its recommendations, but would still retain the final say in determining the price. Mr C. P. Agar (southern ward) pointed out that the findings of the price investigation committee were confidential to the Government and the Minister had the sole power In fixing the price. If the remit was carried it would be necessary for the Government to lay down a formula under which the tribunal would arrive at a price as a recommendation to the Government. 'Only when the industry knew the formula would it be In a position to know whether the price was going to meet the rising tide of costs or not. Representation Question Mr D. G. Begley (central ward) said the remit did not say what authorily would be responsible for the appointment of the industry’s representatives. He moved, and it was seconded. that a committee he set up to consider every phase of the question. Mr .J. H. Sunderland (northern ward) moved as an amendment an addition to the remit setting out that the producer’s’ representatives should be chosen by file Dairy Board, which would obtain from all sections of the industry essential - data for use by those representatives. The chairman, Mr A. J. Murdoch, said Mr Nash had assured the Dairy Board that he looked upon it as the head of the industry.. "So do we and so we are.” he addec*. "You take no risk in nominating the board as a •body to determine your representatives.” The amendment was withdrawn and the motion carried unanimously. A remit asking that the findings of the price investigation committee should be published was carried. The Average Pay-out Referring fo the dairying industry account, the Minister said the accounts for 1936-37, subject to final audit, showed that the deficit would be £338.750. The average pay-out was 13.6 d for butter and 15.18 d for cheese. There had been some criticism of the Marketing Department with regard to the manner in which the accounts were presented and he thought they were very complete. The deficit was originally estimated at £548,000, but this had been reduced to £338,750 as the result of the abnormal rise in the price on the London market. That rise had been helped by sales to Germany. REPORT TO CONFERENCE • TRIBUNAL RECOMMENDED I BASIS OF PAYMENT The special committee set up by II the New Zealand Dairy Board to con- [ sider the method of fixing the guaranteed price submitted its report this j afternoon to the conference. It recommends a tribunal consisting o f equal number- of assessors, appointed by the board and the Government. and presided over by a riiprerr.e Court Judge and the order of reference to provide for payment, to be on the basis that would enable the producer to: ■ a Pay competitive rates of wages. (b' 1 Allow him reasonable, interest on his capital invested in his farm and stock (c; Enable him to meet the Increased costs imposed by leeislaiion. including tariffs cl Allow the farmer a remuneration commensurate with the service he : renders to Lie community and with ! that obtained by other sections of the | community rendering equal service. It is a recommendation that the preparation and presentation of the industry’s case before the tribunal committee or assessors should be met out ’ of a levy.