GRAVE APPREHENSION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 7

GRAVE APPREHENSION

DEPUTATION HEARD STATE CONTROL FEARED INADEQUATE DAIRY PRICE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday Grave apprehension as to the possibility of primary production being maintained at its previous level was expressed by a representative deputation of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and provincial presidents, which waited on the Minister of Finance and Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, this evening. The Dominion president, Mr W. W. Mulflolland, said the cause of this fear, which was to be found in every farming area, and which had given rise to farmers’ meetings held recently all over New Zealand, were certain things which had taken place during the past few months in New Zealand. Also present at the deputation were the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, and the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone. Factors In Uncertainty Mr Mulholland emphasised that the movement to hold these meetings had been spontaneous. Some of the factors which were operating to unsettle the farmer might be cited as follows:—The fear that the war was being used as an excuse for the introduction of permanent State control of the industry in New Zealand; the inadequacy of the guaranteed price for dairy produce; the impossibility of procuring adequate suitable farm labour; the recent amendment to the Marketing Act taking away the safeguard of a price formula. “We are not here to protest against the Government having extraordinary and far-reaching powers in this crisis,” Mr Mulholland said, “but, sir, the very fact that the Government has those very wide powers, if it cared to make use of them, makes it equally necessary that the Govern- f ment shall say very frankly that it does not intend to make any use of them except for the purpose of dealing with the present emergency.” Public Works Wages The inadequacy of the guaranteed price, he said, had been a considerable factor in meetings which had been held. The Farmers’ Union supported the representations of the Dairy Industry Council completely. It also felt it .was, perhaps, particularly unfortunate that the announcement of the continuation of the same guaranteed price should have appeared side by side with the announcement that public works workers were to have an increase in wages. Farmers felt they were being treated in a different way from the rest of the community. On the farm labour question, Mr Mulholland said the union had had reports of applications for men suitable for farm work which local placement officers had had to admit they could not fill. Public works were able to offer more money and shorter hours, and this was one of the chief difficulties in regard to obtaining farm labour. “It is our earnest desire to assist the Empire in this crisis by expanding production to the utmost limit of our ability, but we feel it our duty, in the interests both of the farmer and the Government, to draw attention to the difficulty that may arise if the British Government, after we have developed our production, restricts our export to the United Kingdom,” Mr Mulholland said. “We urge also that adequate steps be {aken at the conclusion of the war for the disposal of surpluses which have accumulated during that period. “We desire to assure the Government that if it is. necessary in view of the war situation for the community to make sacrifices the farmers are prepared at all times to accept their full share.” Handling from the Gate Mr Mulholland said one point to consider was whether- stock and station firms would handle farmers’ produce from the gate. Mr Nash said it had not been suggested that they would not. They wanted l-16d more for handling wool. Mr Mulholland said that in regard to the transport position there were restrictions on commercial transport and on petrol. Mr Nash: I do know it is still imperative inside the war period to conserve every gallon of petrol. I am just a little diffident as to whether we should have lifted the restrictions on petrol to the extent we have. The Marketing Act On the question of the Marketing Act, the Minister said it had been suggested that it should apply for the war period and for two years after. The answer he had given was that the Government would bring the question to the House, and the House should decide whether it should continue. It was impossible now to determine the time within which it would be wise to relax control. Mr Mulholland: Can you give us an assurance that when the marketing position comes back to normal the restrictions will be lifted? Mr Nash: I have said we will bring !it into the House. In addition, the | United Kingdom is a party to it. j Mr Mulholland: Where is the objection to stating that when the j period arrives when things are 1 reasonably normal the restrictions , will be lifted? j Mr Nash: I have said I will bring j it before the House and let the House | decide whether it ought to go on or I not. Mr Mulholland said the farmers I felt they needed a little more than : an indication that the question would I be brought before the House, j Mr Nash: I cannot say any more than that. We will let Parliament decide. Parliament does, anyway. : Mr Mulholland: The thing that I matters to us is what you, if you are

in your present position, will recommend. Mr Nash: I cannot tell you other than that I will bring it before Parliament. Cruel Misunderstanding Coming to the question of the guaranteed price, Mr Nash said he had been trying to get a price from the United Kingdom to pay what the Government was paying. There had been a lot of cruel and vicious misunderstanding caused and misrepresentation of the position by the press and others. “And we won’t get a price that will cover the price that we are paying,” Mr Nash continued. “We will be paying more to the dairy farmer than we will be receiving.” It was viciously unfair to say the industry had not been consulted over the guaranteed price. The Minister emphasised that the guaranteed price formula still applied and there was no of using the war for permanent control. Discussing public works pay, Mr Nash said it was correct to state that pay on public works had been fixed in April, 1936. The dairy farmer had had two rises since then. Everybody else around public works men had had two or three rises. In general the men on public works were doing 'splendid work and did not get too much money. Appeal For Co-operation The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, said he was certain that in some districts there was a much better feeling than had been indicated by some of the remarks of Mr Mulholland. “Mr Mulholland knows that on every occasion I have sought his advice and endeavoured to work out with him the problems which have faced us,” Mr Lee Martin said. “It seems to me that if we could get more co-operation we would get along infinitely better than we are doing today. It does hurt me to read some of the statements that are being made, particularly in the north, with regard to what the Government and the department are doing in connection with farm problems. I know the difficulties and I want to help to overcome them.” Mr Langstone said that instead of a spirit of antagonism being evidenced by anybody the relationship between the State and all other interests should be one of co-partner-ship.