GUARANTEED PRICE DEFENDED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 104, 19 May 1937, Page 15

GUARANTEED PRICE DEFENDED

-Prees Association.)

"What Ahout a Bonus ?" Ask Auckland Farmers MINISTER DERIDED 5

(By Telegrapb-

AUCKLAND, Last Night Explaining that it was the Government's intention to live up to its promises and that it would fulfil all the provisions of the Primary Products Marketing Act, the Minister o'f Agriculture (Hon. Lee Martin) vigorously defonded the application of the guaranteed price in 4ts first year^of operation at the annual provincial conference of the New Zealand Parmera ' Union. He said four of the points the union were" advocating were already embodifed in the Act. There was room for diference of opinion on the subject, tho . Minister admitted, and the committee which. recommended the priJl was shouldered with very responsible duties. He regretted any misconception that the committee itself fixed the price and he pointea out that in previous addresses he had stressed the point that its duty was after taking into consideration every relevant factor to recommend a just payment to the Government. This was indicated by the fact that in the first year of operation approximately £500,000 was added to the price suggested by the committee. Voices: What about a bonus? Mr. Lee Martin: We shall do it by a straight-out payment in order that producers may be able to budget their position at the beginning of the season. "I do not. think we shall satisfy fevery farmer. Indeed we never shall," ithe Minister observed. "However, we shall go a long way towarda satisfying the producer who looks upon the business from a rea?onable standpoint. I ean produce dozens of letters from both largo and small farmers stating. that ithey are porfectly satisfied with the i price they are getting to-day." The -fahisper of dissent increased to langhter when the Minister added with a smile that sojne of these men had injdicated they would be prepared to acJcept even a smaller amount. 1 Contiuuing, Mr. Lee Martin explained ithat on the other hand eome farmers jdomanded Is 6d or ls 4d and their statements had to be measured up with contrary opinions by obt^ining full information from the producers. ,The guiding principle impressed upon the guaranteed prices committee ■ by Mr. Walter Nash was that it should weigh up the position and calculate a payment for the farmer comparable with the remuneration of others in the community who were rendering like service. "I suggest that you do not waste a great deal of time over the compensatory price," Mr. Lee Martin declared. "You can discuss it from now until June but it will not make one particle of difference. The basis for calculating the payment will be the f ormula provided in the Act, and I suggest it reveals little difference from the scheme advocated by the union. We want to live up to every promise we have made aifd it will not be our fault if you are not satisfied with the prices deeided uoofl for the incoming seasons"