DAIRY PRODUCE CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 19521, 31 March 1927, Page 12

DAIRY PRODUCE CRISIS

CONTROL BOARD MEETS COMPULSORY PROVISION NECESSARY FUTURE POLICY TO BE CONSIDERED IN JUNE. [Pbb United Paxsa Association.] WELLINGTON, March 30. A meeting of the Dairy Produce Export Control Board was held to-day, there being present —the chairman (Mr W. Grounds), and Messrs T. Winks, J. R. Thacker, W. Bryant, J. R. Corrigan, W D. Hunt, H. D. Forjsyth, T. M. Timpany, and W. E. Reynolds. The Secretary reported that the board’s instructions to sell 90,000 boxes of butter per week and 45,000 crates of cheese had resulted in sales for the first two complete weeks of 186,870 boxes of butter and 96,203 crates of cheese, at prices which showed a firming tendency. in connection with the abandonment of price-fixing a number of telegrams and letters were received from companies urging that the board should call a full conference of all companies for the expression of their views. The decision of the board was that the present was not an opportune time for a profitable discussion of the control question. The board consented to receive a deputation of five appointed by. the conference held in Palmerston North. The delegates of this conference conveyed to the board the three resolutions passed thereat, and stated that the conference represented 112 factories, with an estimated output of 24,000 tons of butter and 22,580 tons of cheese. After the deputation had withdrawn the following resolution was earned - The board appreciates the general support given to the board in the first resolution. With regard to the second resolution, it disagrees with the statement to the effect that the board is directly responsible for a heavy loss to the industry. With regard to the third resolution, the board holds that the compulsory provisions in the Act are absolutely necessary for_ the effective organisation and protection of the in dustry.” It was further decided to inform the deputation that a full meeting of the board would be held in June after tho return of the members of the London agency, to consider the board’s future policy. In accordance with a notice of motion, Mr Timpany moved—“ That in face of tho evidence, 1 give notice of motion that compulsory control be suspended and made absolute, and that at the end of the season tho board should reorganise on the lines of the Meal Control Board and the Australian Con trol Board.”

After Mr Timpany had moved his resolution, it was seconded pro forma, and briefly discussed, and rejected by seven votes to one.

The Secretary submitted a full fina:i cial report in connection with the sales of butter and cheese in the various pools, together with their realisation. These details showed that the financial position as between realisation and advances was quite sound. The actual shipments of butter under control up to February 28 were boxes of creamery butter, of which 77,37 per cent, was “ finest,” 20.75 per cent, first, and 1.88 per cent, second. The advances made totalled £4,050,852. In the case of cheese, shipments under control to February 28 totalled 480,080 crates, of which 56.04 per cent, were “finest,” 41.35 per cent, first, and 2.61 per cent, second grade. The total advances made were £2,440,135. The next meeting of the board was fixed for April 27. POLICY DISCUSSION DEMANDED MASTERTON, March 30. A meeting to-day of representatives of the producers and business men of Wairarapa, convened by the Farmers’ Union, discussed the various aspects of dairy control. Mr I. G. Brechin (Pahiatua) and T. Moss (Eketahuna) spoke in support of the board’s policy, and asked for continuance of support. The following resolutions were carried unanimously: — “ That this meeting of representatives of Wairarapa producers and business men considers that the time has arrived when the Dairy Produce Control Board should convene a special meeting, representative of the whole of the dairy producers of the dominion, to discuss the present position of dairy produce, with a view to arriving at a policy tor the majority of the producers.” , „ “ That the Dairy Control Board be asked to urge upon the Government the absolute necessity for the removal of the Government nominee (Mr Paterson) from the London board.”