DOING THEIR PART

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 10

DOING THEIR PART

FARMERS AND MAR NO INCREASE IN PAY MEETING HIGHER COSTS The indications were that farmers \ and farm employees were doing their ; part to provide the foodstuffs ! urgently required to maintain the Empire’s Army, Navy and Air Force, said Mr S. A. Ferguson, chairman of directors of the Norfolk Co-operative . Dairy Co.. Ltd., when presiding at the ; annual meeting of the company at j Motumaoho yesterday. Producers were doing their utmost j to increase production by working longer hours and meeting increased costs without any increase in pay. They would continue to do so without complaint if other sections of the community were brought into lino. “YVe have now completed the fourth year under the guaranteed price which was at the same Figure ns ; the last year although farming costs have considerably ’increased.” said Mr F rguson. “ The price for the present season has not yet been announced. and seeing that other sec- ! tions of the community have been j granted higher remuneration with- j out additional effort to cover increased costs, strong representations have been made to the Government by the Dairy Industry Council, which , was set up two years ago. and to increase the price sufficiently to cover ascertained increases in farming costs, thxt have accrued since the present price was First announced. These increased costs have been mainly the effect of legislation by the Government. Increase in Output “We are pleased to report an increase of 78 tons, equal to 17 per cent, in output, which has been mainly due to favourable weather conditions and extra effort by suppliers. the number of suppliers being practically the same as the previous year. The favourable weather conditions during the summer and autumn were responsible for a higher yield of solids in proportion to fat in the milk, also a reduction in labour costs, and resulted in a higher payout per lb. of fat. “A request has been received frorst the British Government for an additional 15,000 tons of cheese this season, and we have been asked to make provision for sufficient milk supply to fill the capacity of the factory and if possible to keep the vats full through the autumn. Although this is causing considerable cost and inconvenience to suppliers that have to change from separating to whole milk supply, a majority of those asked are preparing to start supply before the end of the present month and have to be commended for their actions. “The directors are giving their active support to requests that are being made by the industry to the Government for a grant to cover loss made by suppliers that have been called upon to make the change.”