CONTROL TANGLE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 139, 16 June 1927, Page 12

CONTROL TANGLE

MR. COATES DEFENDED

PRAISE FOR MR. PATERSON

In his review of the operation of control of New Zealand dairy produce in Great Britain, Mr. W. A. lorns; addressing the Dairy Board, of which h» is a member, took opportunity "'t«"express his very high appreciation ot, the services rendered, to the board by the Prime Minister, the Bight Hon. j.' G. Coates, and the Government's representative at the London Agency, Mr Stronach Paterson. ■

Mr. lorns said: • I have'read report* of cnticism levelled against Mr. Co&tes's athtude towards the board while in Lpndon by raembers of the board and others which I should like to believe to be misrepresentation of the speakers* words; but as they have remained wicontradicted, that .satisfaction is denied me. ■ ' ■'..■• ■ ;■

The truth of the matter, wfcich can bo verified by any number of witnesses, is that while in London,: Mr. Coite's strove to the utmost to bring about a satisfactory settlement; of the difficulties besetting the agency and th« trade. ' He spared himself in nothing. He gave no thought to politics or popularity. The interests of the producers were his one concern. The suggestion that he sought to undermine the statutory authority of the board -was Bimply, an outrage upon truth and decency. No one in the circumstances could have borne himself with greater candour and propriety than the Prime Minister did. "AN IDEAL.MAN." As for Mr. Paterson, the Government's representative at the agency, I speak with a very intimate kndwledge or this gentleman's services when I say they were invaluable, not only to the agency and the board, but even more so to the producers. He always was courteous and precise, and yet always insistent upon .the rights of his position. I have gathered since my return to: New Zealand that some members of the board think it was the duty of Itf Paterson to say "Aye" when the agency" said "Aye," and "No": when the agency said "No.";/ Had that been the beginning and the end of his functions, .they might just as well have been performed by a junior clerk from the High Commissioner's Office. _Mr. Paterson -ook a very different view of his obligations, and on oeo> sions, a3 I remember, insisted upon certain courses being followed in order that he might supply the Government with information that was expected from him. He also thought it -within his' sphere to criticise fairly ■ severely, certain expenditure which was not in the interests of the producers. Gbjec. tion has been raised here, I understand, to the Government's representative introducing a deputation from the importers and wholesalers to the Prime Minister, while that gentleman was-in London. ■ ■. ■

Mr. Paterson was' asked by the members of the deputation to introduce them to Mr. Coates, aid when he asked me for my opinion on the subject I told him I thought he was the proper, person to perform the ceremony. ', I understand that beyond introducing the deputation, he took no part in the proceedings. I was.very sorry indeed to hear of his resignation. His business experience and understanding, his! knowledge of the whole business of the board, and his proved integrity; made him the ideal man for the position.' he occupied, and who ever his successor may be, his services will be much missed.

[Mr. lorns also gave an interesting and. candid review of the Dairy Board's policy. A report of his remarks is published on page 18 in . to-day '». "Post."] . .'-•..■■■ .■; ■;.'•