MINISTER’S REPLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1942, Page 2

MINISTER’S REPLY

TO FARMERS’ CRITICISM THE INCREASED WOOL PRICE. AN IMPRESSION CORRECTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Reference to some of the resolutions and discussions at the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union as reported in the Press was made last evening by the Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, Mr Barclay. He said that as the result of his recent visits to the main productive areas of the Dominion his summing up of the position was that the primary producer, except in special areas affected by earthquake, flood or drought, was on the whole enjoying a very adequate return for his efforts. “In view of the fact that Mr Mulholland in his address to the conference still leaves the impression that it is the intention of the Government to withhold part of the rise in wool granted by the United Kingdom Government,” said the Minister, “I must again state that it is the desire of the Government that every penny of the increase granted should go to the woolgrowers concerned.' The point at issue is purely whether it is desirable in the interests of the country and of the woolgrowers themselves that they should receive the total payment immediately into their individual accounts, or agree to defer the full payment to themselves until such time as additional goods and materials can be made available to offset this payment. In the past it was said by certain representatives of the woolgrowing industry that the granting of a rise of £l3 a year to the worker averaging £250 to £3OO per annum was inflationary, yet the same persons now claim that it is not inflationary to give the woolgrower with an average flock of 1000 sheep an increase of £75 per annum, which is what the additional 15 per cent, would mean. “Moreover, Mr Mulholland suggests that the consumer should subsidise the woolgrower in relation to local wool. The wool industry could continue to supply the local mills at the present price and still receive over the total clip an increase of 1316 per cent.—an additional reward comparing more than favourably with increases granted to other sections of the community. “I regret that the conference has again adopted the course of criticising the Government without in any degree making that criticism constructive,” said the Minister. “I am pleased to say, however, that at the present time the relations existing between myself as Minister of Marketing and Agriculture and the Meat and Dairy Boards are most happy, and that a far greater degree of harmony exists between us than has been the case for many years.”