New Prices For Grain Come Too Late

Chronicle (Levin), 4 October 1948, Page 3

New Prices For Grain Come Too Late

- " INVERCARGILL, Oct. 2. • -Expressiiig the opinion that the anuo'unceflient of the new season prices for oats and barley had been made too late, Mr. George Stevenson, of Dacre .(chairman pf the Dominion agriculture section of Pederated "Pafxiiors), said today, that, although the 'Government had !had - years of experience adjusting pric.es, it did not ye| realise that time 'aad "thb? seasons. 4i$]uot w'ait for any official announceme^t of !pricesi Tlie announecment of thos'e prices was most iniportant "to growers if tliey were o plan their season 's work. Pederated Fariiiers ha.d'kubmitted a case which would liave justified an increase t'o;'7s; a biishel" for oats and barley in view of the dec-linihg interest'in oats, batley, and wheatic • f Mr. Stevensdn, said that each year the Goveriiment .had f -reviewed prices and'dt had'X)orsisted rini basing -.them on its own estimate'd^eost !of production, or on its stablisation'"poliey. ' Costs varied widely and to secureedhcfeased production the price .lnust,».;be attracive to a very mueli wider riunxber of growers and be inore cdmpetitive. with other prdducts: Just as' long as. this policy was persisted with wduld- shortages accrue and the Government .be compelled to dxplore overseas ^ niaxkets' - and pay prices far in excess of tliose paid in New- Zefiland for cereals wliieh couid, and should be grown to a.greater extent in tliis country. A ^ " "Food producers, egg production, pig producers,' tow-n • milk suppliers, and other "uSers of bran and cereals are all elamouring for niore cereals to be •grown and • iuany ha ve urged that a price that .will secure this production should bn' ;P.nid,/'-.[^li;.', Stdvenson declared. '