The Dairy Produce Control Board

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21147, 24 April 1934, Page 10

The Dairy Produce Control Board

We print this morning a brief and staggering comment by Mr W. Grounds on the Government's decision to take over the functions of the Dairy Produce Control Board, of which he is a member. According to Mr Grounds the Government has belatedly recognised its obvious responsibility for the affairs of the dairy industry, though " how much " the process has cost the industry " can never be measured." Mr Grounds also suggests that the Dairy Produce Control Board has for a year been labouring to Instruct the Government in the elements of the situation which has arisen owing to the British Government's suggestion for a dairy produce quota. A more jmpydertt Jirretploa tb©

would be difficult to imagine. The present troubles of the dairy industry are in a large measure due to the Dairy Control Board's persistent refusal to recognise the inevitability of quotas, to its clumsy handling of the negotiations with Great BriI tain, and to the unfortunate readiness of its members to say things offensive to British primary producers. The Government has striven without success to make the board face realities; and it was the inability of the board to make up its mind that caused the delay regretted by Mr Grounds. Moreover, if any member of the board should now maintain a modest silence, that member is Mr Grounds. The following are some of his recent statements on the problems of the dairy industry. Frankly, I believe that Great Britain will not ask for a restriction if we can show that we have carried out our share of the Ottawa bargains. New Zealand must show plainly that it does not want a quota. . . . If influential parties in the Dominion adopt a defeatist attitude that will only strengthen the hands of unfriendly sections in Great Britain. The Dairy Produce Control Board can convince any reasonable person that quota restriction will not be to New Zealand's advantage. I excuse from this category Mr T. Baxter, the representative of the British farming interests who visited the Dominion recently. There has been no falling off in the quality of New Zealand butter in recent years. It must in fairness be said that these statements are no more foolish and harmful than similar statements by other members of the board. Other members of the board have, however, been more discreet than Mr Grounds.