CONTROL BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 19634, 13 August 1927, Page 3

CONTROL BOARD

THE MERGER PROPOSAL [From Our Parliamentary Rei'Ortes.J WELLINGTON. August 12. The suggestion that the various control boards in New Zealand, particularly the Dairy Produce Boards, should be merged, was djscussed briefly by Mr D. Jones, chairman of the Meat Board, in the House to-night. _ „ There might, he said,, be a good deal more co-operation between these boards, and he believed that this would bo brought about, but ho did not think it would be possible to roll two or three boards into one. The question had been asked whether these boards justified their expenditure. He could answer for the Meat Board, which cost £20,000 per annum, including advertising, grading, inspectors, and travelling. Since the hoard came into operation there had been a reduction in costs of over £1 ,loo,Col\anmially, and a big percentage of this saving was duo to the hoard. After five years’ experience he could say that the hoard, without compulsion. wns_ useless. It must have .authority behind it, otherwise they could just as well wipe out the board Take one point as an example. The Meat Board decided that no lambs he exported except with the kidneys remaining in them. That was resented by practically the whole meat industry, and if the board had not had compulsion behind it, it would have been laughed at. The trade said it was a mistake, hut it brought between £70,000 and £IOO,OOO more for our lambs, and was appreciated by the people at the other end. Grouping of insurance and improvement in conditions had so reduced the risk that the cost of insurance had been reduced by one-half. The hoard had recently been able to secure reductions in cold storage charges in London, which would save £30,000 to the meat industry, and as the dairy people would participate, they would save £20,000 annually. It was recognised throughout the world that a system of regulation of shipments was one of the most effective means of marketing. Control, wisely used, was very valuable. Air Nosworthy: They would he fools if they let it go.