PRODUCER CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 5

PRODUCER CONTROL

MARKETING OF MEAT POSITION OF SHEEPFARMERS ORDERLY METHODS ADVOCATED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday. Producer-controlled marketing of New Zealand mutton and lamb was advocated by Mr I. L. M. Coop, president of the North Canterbury Provincial Farmers’ Union, in an address to the annual conference this morning. He suggested that sheepfarmers, if they adopted the orderly methods of the Dairy Board, would be much better off financially. While praising the good work done by the Meat Producers’ Board in regulating supplies and advertising, Mr Coop said that the benefits from this went to the purchasers of meat —export companies. The sheepfarmer was still trying to carry on with the old speculative system of marketing. That, was not the Government’s fault, for the sheepfarmer could have orderly marketing to-morrow if he liked to ask for it. By adopting Dairy Board methods,, Mr Coop continued, the sheepfarmer would receive an average price for the whole season. Overhead, fellmongering, killing and freezing costs would be reduced considerably, and the farmer would be in a much better position. “Jt is no use saying it can't be done, because it can,” he said. “We have a duty to our farm workers, the most loyal body of men and women in New Zealand, our bankers, stock and station agents and mortgagees, to see that we are in a position to pay our way. Nobody is going to be hurt by this method. Let us get on with the job and bring confidence once again into the sheepfarming industry of New Zealand.”