PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1922, Page 8

PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

THE DAIRY POOL SUPPORTED. SOLUTION FOR BETTER PRICES. UNION PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. Interesting observations regarding produce and producers’ problems were made by Mr. R. Dunn (president of the Taranaki Farmers’ Union), in his address to the annual conference at Inglewood, yesterday. After referring to the establishment of the moat pool, Mr. Dunn remarked: “If the meat pool is a success, I think that producers should insist on having dairy produce as well brought into the pool, for anyone who has watched the vagaries of the market for dairy produce during the past season cannot help thinking that at least some of the fluctuations were engineered. The New Zealand dairy-fanner is a very trustful, confiding and careless individual. He works hard to produce and manufacture good cheese or butter, puts it on board ship in good condition, and then apparently considers he has done his part, and leaves it to the firm his factory does business with to sell on a high market or a low one, as they think fit. I feel sure a change must come in the marketing of dairy produce. This slipshod way of doing business is losing the producer thousands of pounds every year. A system of pooling after the manner of the meat pool was necessary, where all butter and cheese would be sent to stores controlled by the producers of this Dominion and the distinctive brands done away with and only called New Zealand butter or cheese, and only sufficient released weekly to suit market requirements, sold only on grade 1,2 or 3, as the case may be. If a scheme of this kind could be carried out it would mean true co-operation, and all producers would get the same price for the same grade. One great advantage would be the regulating of supplies, only sufficient being put on the market for requirements, and possibly the supply regulated to serve users of New Zealand produce all the year round. If this could be brought about, it would be the means off getting a better price for the producers. COST OF PRODUCTION. “When discussing the -prices of our products this year, one almost invariably hears the comment on the low price our produce is bringing in the Home markets. Now, the fact of the matter is that New Zealand produce is bringing a very fair price on the Home markets. With the exception of our frozen beef, our other produce is bringing a price which is as much as the consumer can pay. The root of the discontent lies in the cost of production and excessive freights and handling charges. Producers should concentrate on producing at less cost. One way would be to increase the volume of output from the same acreage with the same labor employed, through improved methods of farming, and providing plenty of succulent food for the cows. It will be noted by all how the supply has kept up during the past season, owing to the pastures receiving the benefit from the moist season. Now, lam certain that in ordinary seasons very few of the dairy cows in Taranaki get sufficient of the right kind of food to enable them to give their maximum flow of milk during the whole season. Also take care of the trifles—small leakages. Small leakages have a way of cutting into the profits.” He added that the farmer should bring pressure to bear through the Farmers’ Union on the Government and shipping companies to get reduction in freight, freezing charges, wharf dues, and mote expeditious handling of produce when loading on the Home boats. Farmers should also insist on our railways being run for the benefit of the people. Railway freights at the present time were simply scandalous. Another cost to the producer was the go-slow and stop-work methods adopted by the men handling the produce on the wharves. It was estimated that industrial disturbances last year resulted in a loss to the Dominion of £ 90,332. FARMERS’ FINANCE.

Mr. Dunn proceeded: “The worry and anxiety which many of the dairy farmers are passing through at the present time in trying to adjust their finances calls for a good deal of sympathy. In spite of repeated warnings, trafficking in land was carried to extremes, and many are reaping the aftermath at the present time, and there will be a very severe pinch during the winter months. At the present time it is hard to estimate the value of land. It will be necessary to readjust rents of leaseholds from a minimum rate that will enable holders to carry on with an increase for every penny above the minimum, to be proportionately divided between the landlord and tenant. Rents on a sliding scalq will tend to do away with trafficking in leasehold farms. In the past, where a tenant had a farm at low rental and prices of butter-fat went up a penny or two, others were willing to give a goodwill to get into the farm, and a good many of those in trouble at the present time have themselves to blame for giving too much for the goodwill. For those who have acquired freeholds at too high a price, the matter of adjustment will be more difficult. In my opinion the onlv way ia for those interested (and in ’some instances there are a good many) to get together and try to come to some arrangement, for. of course, the farm must be carried on; but it is little use to bolster the thing up in the hope erf returns improving to enable the holder to carry on. The real value of land is what it will produce, allowing reasonable cost for working.”

In conclusion the president said: “The past season has been one of the best we have ever known from the dairyman’s point of view, there having been a plentiful warm rainfall throughout the whole year, and without exception the volume’ of the output will be considerably increased as compared with the returns of other years, and will help to relieve the burden a little. Indications are that the financial outlook for the Dominion as a whole is improving, and the general tone is more confident that the clouds of depression are gradually lifting In conclusion, I advise everyone to have confidence in the recuperative powers of this Dominion, which has natural resources to draw upon which are unequalled in any other part of the world. He optimistic and keep up production as a duty to the Dominion and yourself.”