EMPIRE WOOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1941, Page 6

EMPIRE WOOL

COLLECTIVE MARKETING PROPOSAL FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION. PRESENT TIME CONSIDERED INOPPORTUNE. A proposal that a post-war wool marketing organisation be set up, to collectively market New Zealand, Australian and South African wool, came before the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union at its meeting today. The executive considered that the present time was not opportune for such a proposal and it was agreed that consideration should be deferred. A circular letter was received from the Australian Wool Producers’ Federation suggesting that a post-war wool marketing organisation be set up. The co-operation of the producers of New Zealand with the producers of Australia and South Africa was asked for. Advantages of a collective marketing system were outlined. The Provincial President, Mr Hugh Morrison, said there were two big wool organisations in Australia. The largest organisation had turned the proposal down. Personally he was against it. It was probable that the war would be of long duration. The agreement with the Imperial Government would apply for one year after the war. The sheepfarmers of the world could never agree among themselves. How could compulsion he secured? he asked. The answer was socialisation through the Government. , Mr A. A. Ross: “It is a continuation of what we have today —fixed prices.” Mr J.’ H. Bremner contended that while the present time was not opportune, post-war conditions would have to be anticipated. The chaotic conditions following the last war would have to be guarded against. Mr A. Linton said one could hardly visualise post-war conditions without seeing some form of controlled prices. Personally he hoped to see the control in the hands of producers and not in those of the Government. Mr Morrison observed that while butter and meat could be marketed in the Old Country, wool was a world commodity. He did not have faith that the wool producers could agree to fix a price. Following further discussion, it was decided to defer further consideration of the matter.