DAIRY PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1935, Page 6

DAIRY PARLIAMENT

BUSINESS PROGRAMME

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

EECENT LEGISLATION

"When the annual conference of the National Dairy Association meets at Palmerston North on June 26 it will have plenty of business to engage its attention. Consideration will be given to recent legislation in so far as it concerns the dairying industry. Those who will address the conference will be Mr. A. J. Murdoch, MJ, chairman of the Dairy Board; Dr. E. Marsden, on ''Science in Kelation to Agricultural and Social Needs"; and Professor W. Kiddet, on the scientific aspects of dairying. Some legal points will be dealt with by Mr. W. H. Cunningham, solicitor to the New Zealand Dairy Association. Mr. A. Morton will preside. Some of the claims for special consideration in the interests of the dairy industry that will come before the con- " ference may be itemised as follows:— , Direct representation of the dairy industry on the Meat Producers' Board. Alteration in the existing provisions for election of dairy farmers' representatives on the Dairy Board, with the one-man-one-vote principle. Demand for necessary legislation "to constitute farm running expenses, fertiliser, goods, and reasonable living expenses a first charge on farmers' butterfat proceeds." Demand for the abolition of the duty of 13s 4d per ton on cement, and the price of cement to be brought "within the purchasing power of the dairy farmers." COW-TESTING RESULTS. The executive of the association reports most favourably, on herd-test-ing, and remarks:— "In view of the facts disclosed from year to year, it is difficult to understand why the percentage of cows under test has not been raised to at least 40 per cent., which could be regarded as the ideal. That herd-testing is a sound practice is borne out in the increased production' in - the herds ot those farmers who have consistently adopted' herd-testing over, a series of years. 'In many cases the increase has been in excess of 1001b of fat per cow. The logical conclusion to be drawn from the operations of herd-testing is that if it pays the owners of approximately 300,000 cows to test their cows it must necessarily follow that it would pay the owners to test the remaining 1,600,000 cows." COST OF ELECTRICITY. Dealing with the cost of electricity to dairy farmers, the report states:— The Government's response to representations made by your executive in pursuance of the remit passed by last conference cannot be regarded as encouraging, and in so far as the position is affected* by the cost 011 bulk supply, there does not appear to be any in> mediate prospect of relief from the present high price of current. . . . In reply to further urging that the Government should adopt a strong progressive policy with a view to popuBng the use of electric!* In rurcd districts, the Minister replied: 'I appreciate the interest taken by your conference in the question of electric supply in the dairying districts, and, of course, will make every endeavour to gradu. ally reduce the cost of power to the industry.:. This must not, however, be done at the expense of sound finance or With any suggestion of panic. LORD BLEDISLOE'S INTEREST. "During a period when agricultural problems presented grave difficulties, ?he Dominion was fortunate in having a Governor^General with the profound scientific knowledge and keen- interest in rural industries displayed by his Excellency Lord Bledisloe," states the reportSi no section.of the communityPm6r7regretted his departure from New Zealand than the primary pro- & His wide knowledge, of farming problems, his sane and prudent counsel, and his unalterable faith in the future pf this Dominion have been an inspiration to all concerned, and his encouragement and leadership will be is made to the -peSny.fund," by which 55,000 farmers sSbscSbed to the testimonial to Lord Bledisloe. TAXATION PROBLEMS. Numerous protests and expressions of dissatisfaction have been received by the executive from factory secretaries on account' of the increasing demands for detailed information. concerning suppliers-accounts, made by officials of the Unemployment Board. While secretaries generally realised that as responsible members,of the community they should do. everything reasonable to assist the board in the execution of its duties.it was felt that some of the demands were quite beyond reason, entailing as they did. a vast amount of time and .clerical -work.. As there appeared to be a good deal of uncertainty as to the extent of companies legal responsibility in the, matter, the association's solicitor was asked to investfgate the position, and a copy of his memorandum on the subject has been sent to all secretaries. A circular letter relating to suppliers' accounts had been sent to all dairy companies by the Commissioner of Taxes, causing a good deal of concern to secretaries, on account of the amount of work involved, as dairy company accounts are not designed to provide detailed information for a year ending at March 31, and compliance with the Commissioner's demands would have entailed the dissection of two seasons' accounts and necessitated a vast amount of clerical labour, particularly in the larger companies. Suitable representations, however, were made to the Commissioner on the subject, as a result of which the Depart ment agreed to accept a very much modified return compiled at the end of the companies' financial year. LAWS FOR THE INDUSTRY. "Whatever may be the opinion on the findings of the Hoyal Commission set up to investigate the plight of the dairy industry, it will not be denied that the report was of a very comprehensive nature;" states the association's report. r "The presentation of the report had been awaited by the industry with a great deal of eagerness, and although some impatience was expressed at the repeated delays, these were readily understandable when the magnitude of the work was fully realised. Every phase of the industry was carefully and minutely examined, and members of the Commission are to be heartily congratulated on the extremely lucid and altogether valuable statement of the position of ,the industry, which they were finally able to submit for the Government's, consideration. Many of the recommendations for improvements within the industry contain nothing beyond what this conference has striven for and advocated year in and year out, but their enumeration by the Commission adds needed emphasis to the necessity of having them put into operation. Others are of a far-reaching and even revolutionary character, and in so far as they affect the administrative control of the industry, have given cause for sharp differences of opinion." Dealing with the loans for improvement of farm equipment, the executive expresses surprise that "the Gov-

ernment is endeavouring to fasten on j to dairy companies the responsibility of repaying moneys expended on the farms of their suppliers. This may be sound policy from the Treasury point of view, but if persisted in will undoubtedly have the effect of seriously restricting the benefits which would otherwise accrue under this section of the Act. It must be known to the Government that many companies have already assisted their suppliers to the limit of their ability (consistent with sound financial practices), and it has not been lack of loan money but rather the risk of endangering the stability of their company that has forced directors to curtail their activities. FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION. "Ample finance has usually been offering through their usual banking channels and the fact that the present scheme makes money available at a slightly lower rate of interest does not in itself warrant such companies accepting additional risks. The farmer who most needs assistance is the one with little or no security to offer, and it seems scarcely reasonable to ask companies to shoulder all responsibilities for advances under such conditions. This appears an occasion where the Government in the interest of the industry might well accept at least a share of responsibility for any losses that might possibly be incurred." Acknowledgment is made of the beneficial intentions of recent mortgagors' relief legislation.