AFTER J.O.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 159, 18 April 1949, Page 5

AFTER J.O.

Australian Proposals

PLAN FOR THREE DOMINIONS Full details of the Australia proposals for the setting up of a British Dominions’ wool marketing organisation to carry on when the work of the present Joint Organisation conies to a close have been received by the New Zealand Wool Board.

The proposals, which are recommendations of a special committee set up by the Australian Woolgrowers’ Council two years ago to enquire into various Suggested post-J.O. schemes, are to come before the council for decision in June. Their importance lies in the fact that New Zealand and South Africa are already pressing for some such scheme, but could not succeed in one without the participation of Australia.

The recommendations of the special committee are as follows:—•'

That the Australian Woolgrowers’ Council approach the Commonwealth Government and request that, action be taken to establish an organisation embracing the Dominions of Australia,. New Zealand and South Africa, such organisation to be empowered to implement a system of organised marketing embodying the principle of a reserve price. That the United Kingdom _be included in the partnership with the three Dominions.

That an Australian organisation be established with a small board oil which woolgrowers’ Federal Associations would have the. right to appoint representatives, who* would form a majority. That buyers and brokers eacli be invited to’ appoint consultative committees to advise the directorate of the Australian organi sation. That a central organisation be established in London, the Dominion directors of which would lie,direct representatives of the organisations in the three Dominions, the number of directors allowed to each Dominion to be in proportion, to the wool production of respective Dominions to the total production, and an agreed number of directors to be appointed to represent the/United Kingdom. That arrangement be made for a continuance of the present consulative committee in ‘London.

That the initial general survey of the level of a reserve price and any subsequent annual variations be determined at a full meeting of the Central Organisation. That an equitable share of the administrative costs of the headquarters organisation be borne by participating countries.

That the Dominion and central organisation shall have all statuatory authority necessary for the conduct 6f the scheme herein outlined.

That the initial operating costs of the Australian organisation be provided from the wool industry fund as required", at a nominal interest rate. That any necessary additional fiinance be provided by the Commonwealth Bank by overdraft at a low interest rate, such debt to be guaranteed by the Federal* Government.

That wool stocks still remaining with the J.Q. at the, date of the changeover be transferred to the new Dominion organisations. That the J.O. be requested to transfer to the new Australian organisation free of cost all stores and equipment in Australia. Til at the Australian organisation’s operating costs be borne by wool suppliers and that for this purpose a contributory charge be imposed on all wool produced in Australia. That provision be made for a complete review of the Domini oils’ and central organisation’s activities .after four season’s operations. That in' the. event of a termination of the plan at any time the total assets of the organisation upon liquidation be paid to the Wool Industry Fund.