MORE CHEESE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 17, 31 October 1940, Page 3

MORE CHEESE

DUTY OF DAIRY INDUSTRY.

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON.

'"Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 30,

A resolution affirming loyalty to the King and the Empire, and emphatically condemning the action of those persons who in any way attempted to sabotage the Dominion’s war effort, was carried unanimously and by acclamation by the Dominion Dairy Conference, which opened to-day under the chairmanship of Mr W. E. Hale, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Boaid. After reviewing the hoard’s activities during the year, and expressing gratification at the greater effort being accorded the herd-improvement plan, Mr Hale referred to the increased production campaign, and the difficulties associated with the change-over from butter to cheese. In their view, however, he said, the industry’s duty was quite clear. With Britain fighting witli her hack to the wall, it was up to them in New Zealand to give an immediate response to every request, and they felt that if serious losses arose in any instances these could be ironed out later. He was sure that they all realised that losses incurred through the change-over must be Iqoked upon as a national responsibility, and faced in that spirit. Referring to the guaranteed price, Mr Hale said that from the very outset of the war the industry’s attitude had been that all questions that were in dispute with the Minister for Marketing, such, for instance, as the alteration of standards set up by the 1938 committee, should be held in abeyance, and that apart from extra production costs, no increase in price should he asked. “We have made several suggestions to the Minister since the Outbreak of the war,” he said; “but J must say with regret that we are extremely disappointed with the result. Our whole desire was to prevent the industry being forced to ask for an increase in the guaranteed price; but recent events which have further added to our costs, leave no option.” Mr Hale said that the Minister had not yet replied to a respectful but definite request that increased costs should be covered by an equivalent increase in the guaranteed price, as provided under the Act.

In reference to the Economic Stabilisation Conference, Mr Hale said the industry had made it quite clear at the outset that whatever conclusions were reached, they would not affect the industry’s request for an increased guaranteed price to meet increased costs.