DAIRYMEN'S RETURN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 199, 8 September 1937, Page 7

DAIRYMEN'S RETURN

-Presa AStiociatiqn.)

Guarantee Means £5 10/- a Week For Average Farmer

MR. NASH'S ASSESSMENT

(By ^Telearaph-

NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. Greeted with expectancy rather than an air of criticism, the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Marketing, was given an oxcellent hearing when he addressed & meeting at Stratford. Though tho meeting did not express its views iu any motion, there was little criticism implied by the questions, which, despite his privilege as a Cabinet Minister, he answered freely. At the same time, the farmers present wore not necessarily m accord with his views. As the meeting was the only one to be addressed on guaranteed pricos uefore the opening of the session, unusual interest was taken in the Taranaki gatlicring, which was actually tfio eontinuation of the annual meeting of the Dairy Federation, but other companies were invited to send ropreselitatives, and the directors of 50 companies were present, 40 being inembors of factories of tlie federation, while others interested in the euoject were present. Altogetlier the attendance was about 700. Mr Nasfi who was accompanied by Mr G. A. Duncan, acting-Director of Marketing, made a special- trip to address tlie meeting. Leavnig Wellington at 7 a.m., and making only brief stops on the way, he reacbed Stratford slibrtly before 2 p.m., and afler the uieeting left immediately on the return I trip. I Un the whole, he had reason for satisfaction with his visit, for it was expected in some quarters that he might- receive a hostile reception, whereas the tone of the meeting, ovcn when it was not in agreement with the Minister, was friendly. Before Mr Nasli's arrival, the meet- ! ing agreed to ask for the publication of J the report of tlie Advisory Oommitteo and of other information on which the Government had acted. Mr Nash expressed a slrong disinclination to adopt this course, because the committee did not fix the price which was The responsibility of the Government alone. He stated, however, that lie would publish tlie actual figures of tlie farm costs used by the Government in culcuiatjng what the return to the farmer sliould be. He showed the figures to your corrcspondont after the meeting, but indicated - ihat lie would release them in a form which could be readily understood in a detailed statement. The list included such items as grass seed aiid fertili£er, and was lengthy. Ho was emphatic that th^ Government had doiie its best to give the dairy iarnier as fair a share of the national income as possible. He estimated that tho farmer would receive £5 10/- a wcck, and contended that, tliouglii a farmer might work 70 lioiirs a week, which ho persojially thought was a slight exaggeration, it was difficult to estimate how that compared with 40 hours' work b ya clerk or macliinist.

Would Not be Drawn. Mr Nash would net be drawn into making any promise of compensation if the factory costs roso above tlie figures allowed, 2.25d for butter and 3.25. fo» olieese. If lie did make such a promise the cmployees might go to the Arbitration Gourt and say that jf the industry did have to pay the wages the union claimed, it would leceive more from tho Government. Any statement either way by him might be construed as influencing the Court. He thought, however, that an increased allowance for costs of .3*3d for butter and .37d for cheese over the actual Taranaki figures last year, would be sufficient to covoi1 the increasc. If the costs did not increase the Taranaki cheese companies could pay I6.3d on the new price. Answering questions, Mr Nasli said that future surpluses would be used as a reserve for lean years, but the Government had not considered a smalj levy to build up such a reserve. He was asked if the cost of marketing had not increased, possibly swaliowing up the reduced connnission to importers, and promised that all possible details would be given in tlie report to Parliament. The deficit would remain an overdraft agaiust the Government until there was something to meet it. The deficits would not be met from the consolidated i'und Factor of Costs. Asked if the price would be maintainOcl if tlie London prices fell, Mr Nash said ihe price would be measureri in ternis of tlie Act, and costs were oue factor in deterraiuing the price. If thb costs reduced, say, interest rales, would

it be fair to give all the beuefits to the fariner? Suvely, he ahould huvo only his share, Asked what bis view was of stock and land values risiug, he said if that advantage of the price was to be capitalised, ali the work of the Government would come to nought. He did not know immediately how that could bo overcome. The qucstioner: What proportiou of the farmers will get, £5*10/- a week? Mr Nash : ls there any farmer here vlio won't get that on last season's prices? There was 110 rcply, Only 20 per cent of the labour on he farnisj was hired labour) he told mother questioner. The Government would do its best to .iiako labour available. The men who rofused suitable work would not be ■ given sustenaiice. There were men on i I sustcnance who could ao]b work. J