asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the price of maize meal mixture has been further advanced by 10/- per ton as from May 14th, and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to bring down the price of the mixture to a more reasonable figure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Maize Meal Mixture
Dr. Ryan
The Agricultural Produce (Cereals) Acts give me no power to fix the price at which a maize meal mixture shall be sold.
The question I addressed to the Minister was: whether he is aware that the price of maize meal mixture has been further advanced by 10/ per ton as from May the 14th. Is the Minister aware of that?
Dr. Ryan
No.
The Minister is not aware of that. Secondly, I asked him whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to bring down the price of the mixture to a more reasonable figure. Arising out of the Minister's reply I find myself in a difficulty, because if the Minister for Agriculture does not know the current price of the maize meal mixture for which he is himself responsible, it seems to be very difficult to get any further. Does the Minister know anything?
Dr. Ryan
I know the Deputy is wrong, for instance.
Does the Minister deny that the price of the maize meal mixture has been increased?
Dr. Ryan
I do.
The Minister denies it. May I assure the Minister that it has been so increased, and that if he will inquire from the officials of his own Department they will tell him so. He has a method of reducing the cost of the maize meal mixture by reducing the contents of groats of which he has produced an artificial scarcity at the moment. Will he take that step in order to bring the mixture within reach of the feeding farmers of the country at the moment?
Dr. Ryan
It is estimated that we have sufficient oats and barley in the country to keep the mixture at 50 per cent. for the remainder of the season.
Will the Minister not take steps to bring down the price of the maize meal mixture which at present is selling at 8/4 per cwt., while across the Border maize meal is being sold at 5/- per cwt.? That is to say, the farmer in the Free State has to pay 3/4 more for his meal than his competitors across the Border.
Can the Minister say what is the cost of producing a pound of pork at the present price of the mixture?
That is a separate question.