FARMERS’ TROUBLES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 369, 18 December 1930, Page 4

FARMERS’ TROUBLES.

PUTARURU DISCUSSION. Matamata Decisions Queried.

At a representative meeting of farmers held at Putaruru on Friday evening, it was decided that while not agreeing with all the points made, the meeting was appreciative of the action of the Matamata farthers at their recent big meeting, and the Putaruru gathering thanked the Matamata farmers for their action.

Mr. J. C. Tomalin opened the discussion by saying that he thought it was a mistake to tamper with the New Zealand price for butter, especially when they were trying to get the protective tariff down. The amount used on the New Zealand market was small compared with the quantity produced. He had voted for the resolution re butter at the Matamata meeting in a moment of enthusiasm, but he now thought that he had made a mistake. Mr. H. Baldwin expressed his agreement with Mr. Tomalin’s remarks.

Mr. A. T. Morris pointed out that they would have to charge lOd extra in order that the farmer should get Id. There was a unanimous opinion that it was ridiculous that butter should be so cheap. The chairman (Mr. A. R. Vosper) .said that all others, except the farmers, got protection. The Government could and should lower costs.

Mr. H. J. W. Scott thought that the companies should get together and deal with the matter. Mr. L. M. Nicklin said that the trouble was due to the proprietary companies. Mr. Scott contended that the faimers should get together so as to get a payable price. Mr. Vosper pointed out that under the Sinclair scheme the dairy producers would benefit to the extent of half a million worked out at a retail price ot Is 6d per lb for butter. Mr. P. D. Morrison said that there should be a co-operative marketing scheme.

Mr. Tomalin favoured trying to get the costs of production down, farmers were not getting a fair deal. Mr. Nicklin was in favour of the stabilisation of prices. Mr. Vosper complained of no effort being made to reduce the cost of production. Mr. H. Baldwin expressed the opinion that the Matamata farmers were on the wrong wicket. An attempt should be made to try and get the cost cf bread down.

The opinion was that the Matamata meeting had done some good. Mr. Scott said that he would like to see business people trying to undersell each other. Mr. Tomalin: They are. You will be able to get things cheaply for the business people will want cash; but you must have cash. (Laughter). The Matamata meeting came in for further comment, it being the opinion that there was a feeling abroad that the farmers who belonged to the Farmers’ Union were departing from the union’s principles, which were against protective tariffs. Mr. L. M. Nicklin said that the time had arrived when the farmer had to arm himself in protection. Mr. Scott stated that unless the farmers stood together solidly no good would come of any movement to assist them.

The resolution of appreciation was then carried.