DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23966, 5 June 1943, Page 6

DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCE

MARKETING METHODS CRITICISED RESOLUTION BY FARMERS’ CONFERENCE A reduction in handling charges and the elimination of alleged anomalies in the distribution of produce were urged by the annual provincial conference of the North Canterbury district of the Farmers’ Union, which was held in Christchurch yesterday. The resolution adopted stated that this action was taken in view of the Internal Marketing Department to make certain farm produce available in sufficient quantities and at reasonable prices to the consumers of the Dominion. The majority of the resolutions adopted by the conference dealt with problems of marketing and war production, and more particularly prices for meat, wool, and wheat. Remits from the various branches dealing with prices and marketing were approved as follows: — That in view of the rising costs, the Government be urged to increase the price of wheat by Is a bushel. (Malvern.) This remit was referred to United Wheatgrowers for consideration. That barley growers request that in consideration of the general increase in cost of production a 10 per cent, increase in the price of barley be made to them by the Barley Committee. (Ellesmere.) That as the Government is taking steps to regulate the price of beef on the open market for domestic requirements, it be urged that full and careful consideration be given to the high cost of producing beef in the South Island, compared with the North Island; and that in the interests of production and in fairness to the producer a minimum as well as a maximum price be fixed. (Banks Peninsula.) That this conference does not hold with any Government interference in the Addington market. (Tai Tapu and district.) An amendment suggesting that the selling of fat stock by auction should be abolished was defeated by an overwhelming majority. That this conference is of the opinion that the price penalty on overweight lambs is an economic injustice to many fat lamb producers in the Dominion, and in addition seriously deprives British consumers of muchneeded food, as the proportion of meat to bone is much greater in heavier lambs, (Darfield.) , „ That the Skin Control Board or Marketing Board be approached to see if the roster of prices for sheepskins can be revised, the new price list to include the 15 per cent, which has been added to the price of wool. (Waiau.) That prices for dairy produce be investigated by the executive. . That an endeavour be made to bring the millers’ and railway weights of wheat into line, as at present many farmers are unduly penalised, in that they have to pay for cartage of wheat that does not exist. (Waiau.) That in accordance with the Government stabilisation policy, pressure be brought to bear ,on the Transport Department to fix the transport charges for Banks Peninsula on the basis ot the proposed schedule drawn up by the No 3 Transport Licensing Authority in 1941. (Banks Peninsula.) That where the Government requests that extra produce be grown and a ceiling price is fixed, then it is only just that any surplus be taken over and paid for at the highest value <• allow as- a deduction each year for taxation purposes a sum equivalent the average annual expenditure on repairs and renewals and »maintenancc of fertility, and which is at present deferred on account of the war, the amount allowed as a deduction to be set aside in a fund and dealt-with in accordance with procedure to be formulated. (West Melton.) That land tax be abolished as it is unjust in its incidence and contrary to the first canon of taxation, .wtod* states that "the subjects of a State ought to contribute towards the support of the Government as nearly as possible in proportion to their respective abilities.” (Executive.) That the Government be urged to exempt from taxation all moneys ■given to'the patriotic fund.