OUR PRIMARY PRODUCTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 98, 20 January 1920, Page 7

OUR PRIMARY PRODUCTS

FUTURE DISPOSAL

GOVERNMENT ASKED FOR A LEAD

Some opinions regarding the future disposal of tho primary products of the Dominion were offered yesterday by Mr. A. D. M'Leod, M.l>. for'Wuirarapa. .Mr. M'Leod is ono of tho most active members of farmers' organisations in this pari of Now Zealand, and ho can claim to apeak as a representative farmer. Incidentally he mentioned that be did rot intend to go with members of Parliament on tho voyage to Samoa, for tho reason that ho considers that there may bo work for him to do in this country on behalf of tho farmers whom he repre- . eente. "I hold very strongly tho opinion," said Mr. M'Leod, "that Mr. Massey and tho other Ministers should state more definitely the policy of the Government regarding ,the disposal of our primary products. Before tho war wo as a nation wore often accused of waiting for difficulties, and then dealing with them, and there can bo no doubt that procrastination has in tho past cost us very dearly. And yet wo are now within a few months of the termination of tho commandeer, nnd the great bulk of the producers know littlo or nothing as to what tiio policy of tho Government is to be. Three questions aro always being prominently brought before country representatives: (1) Will tho commandeer ceaso ou Juno 30 next? (2) What will be the position of our own and of the British coid stores on that date? (3) Does the Government intend to tako any action to control freights? "1 am in a position to say that farmers throughout New Zealand cherish some misgivings because they were little consulted before the requisition agreements wcro made, and little consulted while the requisition remained in operation. Difficulties aroso which, it was said, required quick settlement. Then the Government called together the heads of tho freezing companies, tho heads o. the shipping companies, and perhaps a few producers. A course of action was agreed upon by this meeting, while the man who actually grew the stuff, tho ordinary man on tne land, invariably heard of what had been done long alter agreements had been entered into. If this is to be the future policy of tho Government, then 1 tell Ministers in all good faith that they aro looking for trouble. Small and large, producers oi primary products, generally speaking, accepted contracts made tor them during tho war with little complaint. But if, at tlto end of tho commandeer, are left in a hole, at the tender mer&s of the meat rings ana snipping trusts, through lack of any sec poiicy ou tlia part ot tho Government, then I fear that many of us elected to support Mr. Massey will not again have that honour conferred upon us. As a vice-president of the .Sheepowners' Federation I asked Ministers oi tho National Government in June of last year whether tho requisition of wool and meat would delinitely terminate at the end of tho then contract, and whether a majority of tho farmers wished to have tho requisition extended. Neither ot these questions has as yet been authoritatively answered.

"It is my intention to remain in NewZealand, and to endeavour to assist the Government in getting these questions dealt with at the earliest possible moment.' . Delay may mean bankruptcy to hundreds of men who have bougnt and are buying high priced lands. My own opinion, lor what it is worth, is that tho Government should at least do tins to control freights: it should prohibit freezing companies individually or collectively from making contracts ahead with tho shipping companies. I think that niimeaiaie steps . should bo taken, through the organisations already existing, to havo meetings of farmers held, in order to arrive ut sure information us to what farmers themselves.think about tho extension.of the commandeer. It' the farmers declare against a continuation, then it will ibe for the Government of New Zealand , to make this- very clear to the Imperial Government, and to make- them understand that although wo did more towards winning the war in supplying men iniu the cheapest food than did any oilier, dominion, on a population comparison, of course, we surely ought not now to be placed ut a disadvantage by reason of our patriotism. Delay may mean stagnation and loss. What wo need is a definite and strong Government policy, which must have in it at least tho possibilities of progress and steadiness. Everybody possessed of the ability or tno knowledge likely to make their advice useful at this time, should como forward and assist the Government to place upon a sound basis our only great industry, tho industry which means so much to every man, woman, and child in this country."