MEAT AND WOOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1943, Page 4

MEAT AND WOOL

4 MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE VISITS MASTERTON ADDRESS TO DISTRICT FARMERS. PAYMENTS FOR WOOL. Meat and wool matters were dealt with by the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister- of Agriculture and Marketing, who addressed a meeting of farmers in Masterton this afternoon. Mr Hugh Morrison, Wairarapa Provincial President of the Farmers’ Union, presided over a large attendance of farmers. In introducing Mr Barclay, Mr Morrison said that he had come to a district at a time when it was experiencing a serious drought. Both the dairy and sheep farmers’ production would be down on that account. At the outset Mr Barclay said he would like to have addressed farmers throughout the Dominion before, but the Prime Minister said it would be better to wait until the wool negotiations were finalised. Mr Barclay spoke of the happy relations which had existed between him and the Dairy, Meat, Honey and Fruit boards, commercial gardeners; the Freezing industry and stock and station agents, although there were differences of opinion. There were because the organisations mentioned were overzealous in the interests of the farmer. Mr Barclay said he did not object to the Farmers’ Union lodging objections. He had been a member of the Farmers’ Union for many years. Mr Barclay said that the difference between the Farmers’ Union and the primary production councils was that the councils were a semiState institution. It was not the responsibility of the councils to fight for increased prices for the farmers. That was the responsibility of the Farmers’ Union.

Mr. Barclay said he wished to congratulate the Wairarapa on its efforts in producing wheat. He knew that no one wanted to grow it, but' those who had did so as a patriotic effort. Referring to production in New Zealand generally, Mr. Barclay said the country was prosperous in spite of the war. Production had gone up wonderfully well. In 1937-38 the production of meat, wool and dairy produce in New Zealand amounted to 849,000 tons. There had been a steady increase, until last season production had risen to 956,000 tons| It was a magnificent effort on the part of the farming community, but it was largely due to climatic conditions. Mr. Barclay said he welcomed criticism but he wanted co-operation between the Government departments concerned and the community. However bad the meat position, so far as export lambs were concerned it could not be so bad as it was two years ago. He could remember when freezing works operators came to him and said that unless the Government came behind the industry they would cease to operate. Mr. Barclay said that by negotiation the Government had intervened and had come out without costing it a penny, yet the Farmers’ Union wanted the Government to put £1,000,000 worth of meat down the chute. As the Government had helped the meat industry it was its policy to assist any industry that required assistance in the national interest. The Government had been accused in the past of stealing the dairy farmers’ money. There was then a surplus of several thousand pounds in the Dairy Account. Today there was a deficit of £2l million. Was that a steal? asked Mr. Barclay. The same thing was being done with regard to wool. (Proceeding.)