GUARANTEED PRICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 8

GUARANTEED PRICE

NEXT SEASON’S DAIRY PRODUCE COMMITTEE TO MEET MINISTER [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 28. Discussions are to take place at an early date between the Minister of Marketing, Hon. W. Nash and representatives of the dairy industry about, guaranteed prices for dairy produce for the next season. This was announced to-day by the Minister when invited to comment on a resolution passed by a conference of No. 1 Ward of the Dairy Board regarding the fixing of the current seasons prices and increased costs. "The chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board, Mr, W. E. Hale, informed me that a committee consisting of representatives of the New Zealand Dairy Board, the Farmers' Union, ,the National Dairy Association and the South Island Dairy Association had been set up to discuss the question of the next seasons guaranteed prices for butter and cheese," said Mr. Nash. "1 have stated my willingness to meet the committee, and discussions will take place at an early date. The position in regard to the fixation of prices for dairy produce is that after asking for a judicial tribunal to decide prices, the dairy industry finally "declined to accept that method of price fixation and asked that the Government should itself take the responsibility for fixing the prices Io be paid. The Government, whilst readily accepting this responsibility, nevertheless is prepared to discuss the matter with the industry representatives. In announcing the fixation of the present guaranteed prices, I reminded dairy farmers and industry' representatives that full weight, had to be given to the standard of living, a factor which is referred to in the Primary Products Marketing Act in these words: ‘The general standard of living of persons engaged in the dairy industry in comparison with the general standard of living throughout New Zealand.’ "If this factor is not given its correct weight, disparity will arise and an unfair situation will be created,” said Mr. Nash. "After discussion with the industry representatives suggested bv the chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board, the Government will determine the procedure for the coming season."