FARMERS AND SUBSIDIES

Lake County Mail, Issue 26, 19 November 1947, Page 8

FARMERS AND SUBSIDIES

Subsidies, in general were fully discussed at last week’s meeting of the Dominion Council of Federated Farmers. Discussions at first centred on the withdrawal of the fertiliser subsidies, and the free railage of lime and it was made very clear that at no time was either subject discussed with the federation by the Government, before action was taken. Consequent on an explanation of the position made by Mr W. W. Mulholland, a sub-committee was set up to investigate the action of the Government in relation to the stabilisation agreement of June 18, 1943. That committee will consult with the Statutory Board and report later to the council. At the same time steps will be taken to press for the removal of the continued application of subsidies to local tanners on hides, pelts and bobby calf ikins. It was reported to the council that at present tanners were getting hides at a fixed price of lOd per lb, although on the open market they reached from 20d to 30d per lb. Tanners, too, had the right to choose their hides even though they paid only half the market price. Since fanners’ subsidies had been withdrawn, councillors could not see any justification for them subsidising the tanners to help in reducing prices to consumers. Members of the council were unanimous in agreement of the principle that tanners should face normal competition unless the Government was prepared to accept responsibility for the subsidy. The demand for freeing the farm products stabilisation accounts from Ijhe burden of subsidising local tanners was wholly in line with recent Governmental decisions tapering off stabilisation. It was stated that the Master Butchers’ Federation would support farmers in such a claim. The final resolution carried was: “ That the federation press for the restoration of free marketing—buying and selling—of hides, pelts and offals derived from meat consumed on the local market.” It was also resolved “ That all subsidies paid to the consumers at the expense of the primary producers should be cancelled as from the date of the withdrawal of farmers’ subsidies.”