MR. FRASER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Chronicle (Levin), 30 October 1946, Page 4

MR. FRASER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 29. Six stalwart poiieemen had to make a pathway through a big crowd when the Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser, leftLiberty Theatre after his address, this evening. A large proportion of the 1300 persons in the hall gathered outside after the meeting and pressed round, trying to shake Mr. Fraser 's hand and cheering him. Obviously delighted by the enthusiasm of'his supporters, Mr. Fraser good humouredly shook hands with as many as possible as he slowly struggled towards ' his car. The hall was full and there were some hundreds outside before Mr. Fraser arrived, accompanied by the Labour candidates for the district. He was given an ovation as he was piped up to the stage. The Deputy Mayor, Mr. M. E. Lyons, presided and a vote of thanks and confidence was carried by applause without dissent but the reai demonstration of support was after the meeting. 1'No government could go further to meet any section of the eommunity," said Mr. Fraser when he announced at the meeting the proposed establishment of a Guaranteed Price Tribunal and a Dairy Products Marketing Authority. He said the tribunal to iix guaranteed prices would consist of two representatives of the industry and two of the Government with an independent ehair-, man. The dairy induatry would have representatives on the marketing authority, the cliairman of which would be appointed' by the Government after eonsultation with the industry. The Government, after a long period of experience, thought the time had arrived when the dairy farmer should be Invited to join a tribunal which would (Lx prices for dairy •products in the way tbat wages were fixed, said Mr. Fraser. Further, although the Government must retain a full measuxe of responsibility, because public money was used to guarantee prices to farmers in return for their labours, it would sliare the responsibility of marjceting with the farmers and eonsult the farmers about the most suitable man to preside over the marketing committee. The guaranteed price system which had done away with gambling in dairy produce and, during the war yehrs, in other products, was here permanently or at least as long as the Labour Government was permanent., said Mr. Fraser. United Kingdom had followed New Zealand 's example and the system there had even a wider scope. Dairy farmers, in spite of resolutions and speeches hawever vehement, had faith .in the i futpre j because they wetfe/ rear-itig-- niaa^ Wfor e - dairy heifers. That showed fai|l^li*u the .future under a Labour GovernmeMt. 'Under Labbur farm production had increased enormr ouslv and there was a programme for increased production in the future.