GUARANTEED PRICE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 191, 11 May 1944, Page 4

GUARANTEED PRICE

Christchurch Discussion (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. The decision of the Government to make an increase in the guaranteed price of 1.21 d. per lb. of butterfat was the main topic at the Dairy Board ward conference at Christchurch today, as it has been at ward conferences in other parts of New Zealand, but there was less criticism of the board than at North Island centres. One of the delegates expressed .what appeared to be the view of the majority when he said: “The board has done all it could do and should not be blamed. It is not the board’s fault if the Government has not fallen in with its wishes.” A motion asking the chairman of . the board, Mr. Hale, to approach the ActingPrime Minister with the request that he cable the Prime Minister asking him to use every endeavour to obtain from Britain an increase in the price of dairy produce was superseded by an amendment supporting the action of the board in asking for an increase of 1.99 d. when negotiating with the New Zealand Government earlier in the year. An indication that the last may not have been heard on the price question was given by the ward member, Mr. J. Dunlop, who told a questioner that he could not say the price was final. The board would inform the Government that wherever it went the question of price had been raised. It was only fair to the Government and all concerned to do that. The conference also carried a resolution asking that the calf-rearing subsidy should apply to all calves. The mover. Mr. iG. 11. Christie, said more than half (he dairy production of Canterbury came from small herds which would not benefit if the subsidy applied only fo calves beyond five,