“Legislatiflssembly

equal to the total quantity of milk and cream delivered during the previous year. Producers who delivered less than 50,000 lbs. of milk or the equivalent cream had an open quota of up to 50,000 lbs. of cream equivalent. After examination and approval by the Commission, adjustments in individual quotas above the 50,000 lbs. open quota were made. Fluid milk was not eligible for subsidy. With reference to the amount of money that we received for this subsidy in 1966-1967, the subsidy amounted to $1,237,301 which is a lot of money, I must say. Now, for April until Dec. 3lst, we have a production of 902,000 lbs. cream, 456,000 lbs. of milk. Now, this is actually bringing a lot of money into this Province, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to make note of this. The year 1967-1968, when it’s ended in March, the last of March, we will have increased our payments from Ottawa to the producers in this Province, over the previous year, to $325,000. That’s a sizable amount of money.

(Applause)

Walter R. Shaw: What was the total amount? Are you talking about butterfat now, are you talking about cheese milk, or buttermilk?

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: I’m talking about milk and cream.

Walter R. Shaw: Is that. . ..

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: The milk could go into cheese or cream, which ever. . .. \Valter R. Shaw: It could go in to both. How much Was that total? A million and. . .. Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: Last year was 1,237,301.

Walter R. Shaw: That’s the first year added on?

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: That’s right. Now, this year the total payment will be 1.562,624. We have 87% of the figures available now which leaves 13%, and this is really an estimate, but it is quite obvious that it is a true estimate, $325,000, so we have a lot of money coming in here from the Federal Treasury to our pro- ducers. Most people in the dairy industry are quite happy with it and it’s been quite a shot in the arm, $1.10 a pound. This is $1.21 but, of course, there’s 11c... .

Walter R. Shaw: Taken off, that’s right.

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: Taken off for export for problems as they present them— selves.

Walter R. Shaw: The only objection I have, Mr. Minister. Pardon me for injecting. . ..

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: Go ahead, Sir.

Walter R. Shaw: There’s too many of the small producers not going to qualify for that. Now, here’s what I find it a very serious problem. Now, I’m not offering any

criticism to you on this. . ..

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: I agree, we’re not happy with it, Mr. Speaker. At the Provincial Ministers Conference in Ottawa I brought this out and I certainly recom- mended fully that I would like to see the quota retained as it was. For instances, if a man had one cow, well, he’s not going to ship much cream or milk, but if he wanted to ship, I think he should receive a subsidy. This is what we requested.

Walter R. Shaw: I think that’s right.

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: And they have it, they did come down. They didn’t do too bad as I stated before.

Walter R. Shaw: But even in that bracket there from 420 lbs. to 1,750, here’s the thing that I find fault with. A man may have a small farm and he keeps four or

five cows. . ..

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: Four or five should be all right, Sir.

Walter R. Shaw: He’s got a little job somewhere near at hand. I know a neighbor of mine in this position. Now, he’s not going to be able to qualify.

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