"NEED NOT WORRY"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 88, 30 April 1937, Page 9

"NEED NOT WORRY"

Mr Semple Gives Advice to Dairy Farmers GUARANTEE AND SURPLUS An assurance that th© guaranteedprice legislation would be reviewed and that the Dairy Account surplus would bo fairly allocated was given by the Mimster of l'ublic Works, Hon. R. Semple, when liearing a deputation from th'o Cambridge Co>-operative Dairy Company. Tho deputation claim©d that th© guaranteed pi'ice for cheese production was not sufficient to ineet tho costs of manufacture. "Th© point at issue is that during th© past year the average cost of production of cheese has mad© it difficult to get suppliers foT cheese factories," said Mr W. Harbutt, chairman of the company. "We contemplate that there will be a credit in the Cheese Account this year for in only two months has 1 the London market value for cheese been below tlne guaranteed price." "Although this matter does not come under niy jurisdicticn I have to share my responsibilities with the Cabinet when matters are being decided," replied the Minister. "You need have no worry about the matter for Mr Nash has said that any surplus that accumulates in tho Dairy Account would be banked to the eredit of farm- , ©ra and aubsequently that surplus dis- *

tributed among butter produoers or cheese produoers. "It will probably be considered by Mr Nash upon his return," said Mr iSemple. "The farmer is the only man who had no guaranteed income and depended entirely upon the overseas market fluctuations. Our guaranteed price legislation was framed to give the farmer some guaranteed income. i The price was only fixed exeprimentally and will b© reviewed as soon as Mr Nash returns. "Whatever farmers are entitled to and where it is humanly possible to give it we will," added Mr Semple. "For tho stability of the cheese industry in New Zealand we request that the mbney in -the accumulated fund should be distributedi as soon as possible in the fonn of a bonus," said Mr Harbutt.