COMMODITY COUNCILS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 18 May 1938, Page 3

COMMODITY COUNCILS.

NOT ACCEPTABLE TO DOMINION. DAIRY FARMERS’ CRITICISM. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 17. The proposals adopted at the Empire Primary Producers’ Conference, held in Sydney last month, formed the basis of a long debate at tlie conference of the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, which opened in Auckland to-day. The discussion, which centred on the proposed establishment of commodity councils by Empire producer organisations, lasted for more than two hours. The debate at several times became heated, and the president (Mr H. O. Mellsop) had several times to call representatives to order.

The decision made at the Sydney conference that Empire producing organisations should co-operate to establish commodity councils designed to work for the prevention of avoidable gluts on the London market and resultant instability of price levels and speculation, was criticised by Mr W. Goodfellow, managing director of Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd. The setting up of such councils, Mr Goodfellow said, would relieve the New Zealand Government of the responsibility of working for the maintenance in London of free and unrestricted markets for New Zealand dairy produce. Replying to Mr Goodfellow, Mr W. AY. Mulholland (president of tlie N.Z. Farmers’ Union), who was one of the Dominion delegates to the Sydney conference, said that there was no provision made for any commodity council to act as negotiator between Governments. Tho commodity councils had been planned to regulate supplies Irom the producing countries, so that restrictions might bo avoided. “I consider,” ho said, “that Mi* Goodl’cllow’s apprehensions arc unfounded. The recommendations adopted at the Sydney conference wore definitely in tho interests of our dairy export industry.” Mr Mellsop, who was also present at the Sydney conference, supported Mi Mulholland’s contentions. The following motion was carried: “The ratification by the Auckland branch of the Farmers’ Union of the proposals brought down hv the primary producers’ conference shall not be bold to attach or apply to any particular industry, until or unless that industry shall signify its approval.” Toward the close of the session Mr Goodfellow said he was sure tho proposal to set u]) a commodity council in London would not be accepted by the dairy industry in New Zealand.