STATE CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 246, 18 October 1939, Page 6

STATE CONTROL.

There was at one time a belief

that in a democracy the general public had the right of first consideration) that the Government was charged with the duty of giving a fair deal to producer and consumer alike. If there is even 50 per cent of truth in the statements made by lemon growers in the last two days it is quite clear that, in the Marketing Department, neither the producer nor the consumer counts for much, the State becomes a new middleman and is prepared to take tribute from both. The grower complains that lie is not getting a price which will enable him to iive. The retailer is held down to a small margin of profit, but there is ft very wide spread in the prico between the grower and tho consumer, and that spread works to the disadvantage of both, the intervening Department being the sole beneficiary. One cause of complaint is the strictness of the grading, which compels the sale of much that is really marketable in the shops to juice and peel makers, thereby promoting a needless scarcity. The citrus fruit growers, who came into the State plan voluntarily, are now asking for a loss exacting examination and for a higher price for their fruit. It would appear that on the present price spread both of these concessions could be made with advantage to the community in

general, from a health point of view. Mr. Nash declares that the State is to take over an ever-growing share of private enterprise—on tho basis

that the public service does the job hotter. Better for whom? The toad beneath the harrow knows exactly where each toothpoint goes, and the experience of the public is that it always pays.