PLIGHT OF DAIRY INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21147, 24 April 1934, Page 11

PLIGHT OF DAIRY INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT'S PLAN

COMMENT BY MEMBER OF BOARD

(PBSSS ASSOCIATION T£L£ORAM.) i WELLINGTON, April 23. "The Prime Minister's statement at last indicates some advance. The Government has now acknowledged its responsibility," said Mr William Grounds, a member and a former chairman of the Dairy Produce Control Board. "How much the procrastination has cost the country can never be measured. "For more than a year we have been urging that a national crisis was upon us, that any suggestion of a restriction of imports to Great Britain cut across the whole fabric of our economic life and would necessitate a complete review of New Zealand's settled national policy of the last 50 years. "Must we always be too late?" Mr Grounds continued. "The prospect of a Royal Commission w r ith its interminable delays will not bring consolation to thousands of dairy farmers and their dependents who are desperately hard pressed for mere sustenance, and who, in many cases, see the result of a lifetime of effort slipping away from them. My view is that assistance is needed now, as many will be in desperate straits this coming winter."

SUPPORT FOR MR GOOBFELLOW

I'KODI CTION AND .MARKETING

Support for Mr William Goodfellow, managing director of Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd., in his controversy with the Auckland Manufacturers' Association over the tariff question, was expressed yesterday by Mr J. A. Hynctman, a representative of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, in an address to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. MrHyndman said that Mr Goodfellow should be in a position to judge and advise in matters relating to production and marketing. He himself had had the opportunity of seeing the effects of Mr Goodfe'low's efforts in introducing a definite brand for New Zealand products in foreign markets. In a recent issue of the "Dominion" Mr Goodfellow had answered his critics as follows:—"If New Zealand's secondary industries are in such a bad way, notwithstanding the high tariff, plus the added exchange protection, surely it is time that a trial were given to a low tariff policy based on efficiency." High prices, he had added, had undoubtedly reduced the sale of goods and thereby increased unemployment, with the result that only a small section of the population had benefited at the expense of the community. "I must say," added Mr Hyndman, "that this is a very impressive summing up of the position you find yourselves in at present. Most of the 10 points which Mr Goodfellow submitted to the Government for consideration seemed to tne to have received the very careful analysis of a business brain, and should impress you."

VISIT OF MR S. M BRUCE

DISCISSIONS WITH NEW ZEA LAN D -MINIS TK R S iI'KC.-S 4SSOCIAIIO* TKI.MBA.M.) WELLINGTON, April 23. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, stated to-day that he will go to Auckland to meet Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner for Australia, when lie arrives from Australia next week. to discuss trade and dairy matters with the New Zealand Government. Mr Bruce will be in Auckland only a few hours. Others taking part in the discussions will be the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coatcs and the Hon. R. Masters. Mr Forbes also stated that the question of sending a Minister to London to negotiate with the British Government on the dairying position did not arise at the present time.

MEAT AND BUTTER

A I'STRA LI A N MIN ISTERS 'CONFER (Received April 23, 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 23. Another conference was held today between the Federal Minister for Commerce (Mr F. H. Stewart) and state Ministers on the subject of regulation of exports. Most of the discussion centred on meat and butter. The Premier of South Australia, Mr R. L. Butler, urged the establishment of an Australian Meat Council to regulate standards and supplies and, by more effective control, to give Australian producers the same advantages as those enjoyed by New Zealand. Full consideration was also given to the manner in which each industry will be affected. It is intended, after the conference, to submit practicable proposals to the industries concerned for discussion, and when concrete schemes are evolved they will be considered by the various state governments and later, probably in June, will be further considered by the Commonwealth Government. Mr S. M. Bruce, who is in Melbourne, had a discussion to-day with the Victorian Ministers. whose policy on the regulation of exports will probably be determined on Thursday. Mr Bruce later left for Sydney on his way to Brisbane. He will sail on May 2 for England, via New Zealand, Canada, and America. Mr Stewart stated after the conference that it is proposed to constitute advisory committees which would study the statistical position of a number of industries and later discuss questions of policy and procedure at a future conference of all concerned.