GOVERNMENT’S POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20276, 19 August 1937, Page 11

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY

MUCH-NEEDED REFORM. MR GOODFELLOWS VIEWS. MINIMUM GUARANTEE- FAVOURED. Referring to the Government bulk purchase of all exportable butter and cheese, Mr W. Goodfellow stated that he Marketing Department's supervision in Great Britain was a common»ense marketing plan which lmd proved to be an unqualified success. \malgamated Dairies had done its utnost to co-operate with the Government in a genuine effort to make the atest marketing plan a complete success. There was no doubt whatever Lhat. active supervision was long over-

due. and it was to the credit of the Minister of Marketing that be had ; courageously introduced a muchneeded reform. Mr Goodfellow was pleased to say, further, that in doing so no friction or hardship had j occurred. Continuing, Mr Goodfellow pointed out that the bulk purchase plan was not essential to better marketing. Personally he considered it would be much sounder to give a minimum

guarantee and pay the full market value of the goods, plus a bonus each season to cover in part the increased costs which the farmer had to bear due to recent legislation. The Government would. In such case, act as a consigning agent, would make liberal advances, and would pay out all proceeds at the end of each season, which arrangement would enable the Government to budget for a definite loss. Mr Goodfellow expressed the opinion that the bulk-purchase plan xvoTfld not give satisfaction to the producers, and if continued would be dangerous from a national point of view. In conclusion, he stated that It was Impossible to forecast future prices, but with normal production, and peace, 1 good prices could be looked forward I to for sex'eral years to come.