VIGOROUS PROTEST BY SOUTHLAND

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 194, 2 September 1937, Page 3

VIGOROUS PROTEST BY SOUTHLAND

— Press Association.)

Dairy Guarantee Described as Totally Inadequate / "BREACH OF FAITH"

(B7 Telegraph-

INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Dissatisf action with the ' recentlyannounced guaranteed price for dairy produce was expressed in vigorous terms at a mass meeting to-day of Southland dairy factory suppliers. Representative of 95 per cent. of tho dairy produce output of the province, the meeting was one of the largest of the dairying industry ever held in Southland, and over 200 were present, others being unable t£>* gain accommodation in the meeting room. In numerous addresses it was declared that the guaranteed price was .totally 'inadequate in view of the greatly increased costs resulting from Tecent legislation, and the Government was accused of a breach of faith with the dairy farmers. The prineipal resolution carrifed read: "This meeting being unanimous that the guaranteed price fixed by the Government is most unsatisfactory, a committee, consi'sting of two delegates appointed by tho Farmers' Union ar.d ' other delegates appointed by this meeting, be appointed to submit direct rcpresentations to the Minister of Marketing and confer with the compensated price camp'aign committee with a view to taking any further action that may be considered necessary." Four delegates were appointed to travel to Wellington with the Farmers' Union representatives next week, and it was stated that a bimilar meeting at Dunedin, on Friday would probably appoint representatives to joixi tho Southland delegation. The meeting decided to request the Government to release the report of the price fixation committee, and in further discussions expressed dissatisfaction with the system of appointment of the committee, which it was claimed should iuclude representatives elected by the industry. A motion and an amendment on the subject were proposed, but were subsequenfcly withdrawn on the ground that the time was inopportune to make representations to the Government on this matter when the price was the prineipal subject bf dissatisfaction. A proposal that a request be made for the separation of tho cheese and butter accounts was also withdrawn after eloquent pleaa had been made for union in the industry.