DAIRY CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 100, 25 October 1934, Page 14

DAIRY CRISIS

GOVERNMENT PLAN

FOUR MAIN POINTS

EXECUTIVE COMMISSION

RECONSTRUCTION OF BOARD

Four important phases will be covered by the emergency legislation to be introduced in the House of Representatives today to deal with problems facing the dairy industry. The Bill, which will be passed before Parliament adjourns, is not lengthy but it involves drastic changes from the present organisa-

Several months ago the Government came to the conclusion that it must assume a large share of the responsibility for the rehabilitation of the dairy industry, and this is definitely proved by its proposals, which are:— 1. Co-ordination of export production policy through a central executive authority, directing farm production and marketing methods, to be called the Executive Commission of Agriculture. 2. A complete reconstitution of the Dairy Export Control Board, with widened powers, including internal as well as export questions. i 3. Prompt financial provision exceeding £250,000 for capital expenditure, directed to improve the quality of dairy products. 4. Local rating relief and interest reductions for Crown tenants. In the discussions of tho proposed legislation it was revealed that there wore two linos of thought. One school favoured tho fullest consideration by producers before drastic steps were taken. This section, however, has had to defer to the contention that tho investigation of the Dairy Commission was so thorough and lengthy, and its recommendations were so weighty, that the recommendations cannot be deferred or modified. It is recognised that the mortgage problem is temporarily held at bay by the mortgagor relief legislation, and must await the devising of machinery to deal with new financial methods. This phase of tho legislation will, therefore, not be introduced until Parliament meets next year. The constitution of the executive of the Commission of Agriculture has been the subject of much discussion, and it lias now been decided that it will com-1 prise three- members, all nominated by tho Government. Two of tho members will be chosen from the ranks of the producers and one_ will bo a business man. Tho commission will lay down the general policy to be carried out by the different control boards.

There has been, a slight variation from the Commission's recommendations regarding the reeonstitution of the Dairy Board. Instead of a membership of eight, there will be seven members, four to be elected by the dairy producers and three to be appointed by the Government. Tho board will have power to elect its own chairman.