WOOL PRICE INCREASE

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1943, Page 3

WOOL PRICE INCREASE

GOVERNMENT POLICY CRITICISED. P.A. PALMERSTON N., May 28. A protest against the Government’s refusal to pav the whole of the 15 per cent, increase given New’ Zealand growers of wool by. the Imperial Government in cash w'as made at an inter-provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union, when it was decided to ask the Dominion Executive to continue its efforts to get the war bonds replaced by cash. It was also decided to recommend the establishment of a w 7 ool board to give the sheen farmer better representation in the sale of his produce. Another decision was to ask for a case to be stated before a Supreme Court Judge in respect of the deductions from the 15 per cent, taken for the purpose of subsidising New Zealand woollen mills. It was stated that a ridiculous position had arisen, namely, the subsidising of firms which - Were paying excess profits tax. The conference urged that agricultural holdings should heve electrictly at the same low price .as cities. The creation of a national federa* tion of primary producers, with which all branches of primary production would be affiliated, was approved as the only way primary producers could present a united voice. The overhaul of the Internal Mari keting Department with a view to a drastic reduction in departmental costs was urged so that the big disparity between the price paid to the producer and that paid by the consumer could be reduced for the benefit of the consumer. It also recommended that a representative of primary industries be appointed to the Stabilisation Commission