DAIRY BOARD’S WORK

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 6

DAIRY BOARD’S WORK

From Store to Markets REPLY TO CRITICISMS Briefly reviewing the functions and activities of the Dairy Control Board, Mr. W. A. lorns, chairman, replied to the criticisms offered in Saturday's “Dominion” by Mr. C. H. Burnett, who is a candidate for No. 5 Ward in the coming election of producers’ representatives. It was easy, said Mr lorns, to make general statements as to the board’s expenditure. It was evident that Mr. Burnett was either ignorant of the magnitude of the detail shipping and other work carried on by the board, or else he must imagine It could be done for nothing. Any one of the board’s items of expenditure could be justified, and it was noticeable that Mr. Burnett avoided particularising. The board acted as shipping agents, said Mr. lorns, for the whole of the Dominion’s dairy produce. Dairy factories railed or otherwise transported their produce to the grading stores, at which point the board took control. Many thousands of bills of lading required to be made out. and countless adjustments of quantities, etc., made during a season. The whole of the marine insurance arrangements were In the hands of the board, which necessitated constant attention. The preparation of customs entries, returns In connection with exchange regulations, and British customs regulations, all required the services of an efficient staff at the main ports of the Domin--10 A special staff was required for shipping inspection In New Zealand

and United Kingdom, and as a result of its work butter and cheese had never been better bandied or transported, continued Mr. lorns. The work of regulation of shipments called for constant attention and adjustment of sailing dates and quantities. Further to these, Mr lorns pointed out, the board was increasingly looked to for the source of information on all matters connected with the dairy industry. WhHe the tonnage handled by the board’s staff had increased by 17 per cent, since the 1928-29 season, the actual cost of administration had decreased by 17 per cent Next season would probably see a further 10 per cent, decrease in administrative expenditure. The tonnage shipped had never been more cheaply handled. Apart from the actual cost of the work performed, through its work the board had effected an annual saving to producers during this past year alone of £13,000. or nearly half its expenses. “Mr. Burnett,” continued Mr. lorns, “is evidently critical of the board's expenditure, in New Zealand of £3BOO for dairy research, and £5900 for herd testing. The grant for herd testing, while not expressly authorised In the board’s statute, was the subject of a unanimous resolution at a national dairy conference, and was later validated by a special Act. Mr. Burnett evidently does not believe in research and herd testing, but we strongly believe that the majority of dairy farmers are more abreast of the times. “Mr. Burnett suggests that £6OOO per annum should have been spent on Eastern markets. The board bad .this matter before them early in its history, and its members believed, and rightly so, that the English market offered the best scope for any advertising expenditure. The board's experience has amply justified their belief. “Mr Burnet says the producers are entitled to a full exposition of the board’s stewardship,” concluded Mr. lorns. “I would refer him to the September number of the “Dairy Exporter” for this. Board members seize every opportunity of meeting their electors and making them acquainted with the work the board is performing.”