NEW REGULATIONS OPPOSED

Evening Star, Issue 21628, 25 January 1934, Page 7

NEW REGULATIONS OPPOSED

DAIRY BOARD'S PROPOSED SCHEME SOUTHLAND COMPANIES PROTEST TO PREMIER [Special to the Star.] INVERCARGILL, January 24. Vigorous objections to the application of the Dairy Board’s new regulations concerning f.o.b. sales and the reduction of the number of selling agents in Britain were heard by Mr Forbes when be met a deputation representing the majority of daily companies on the Southland western plains to-day. The Prime Minister undertook to inform the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture (whose consent is necessary before the regulations are applied), that Southland companies were not yet convinced of the wisdom of the new regulations, and wished to place the disadvantage of tho new system before him before he consented to the new conditions. Representatives of the companies concerned asked that a parliamentary committee bo set up next session to hear both sides of the case before any action is taken. It was believed by one speaker that, if the new regulations were applied, it would detrimentally affect the industry. The new regulations practically meant that control was to bo again instituted, and he predicted disastrous results to the industry if this came about. Tho Prime Minister pointed out that tho Minister of Agriculture had stated that he would require more information concerning the scheme before he gave his consent. The chairman of the Dairy Board had recently visited Southland and, judging by the receptions he had been given, it seemed that he had convinced the ■ companies that the scheme, was desirable. Hence it was a surprise to the speaker to find that objections remained. Mr Forbes admitted that he was not clear as to reasons for changes desired by the board. He knew of the disastrous results which had attended the board’s previous scheme to fix prices, and he believed that New Zealand should not do anything which, would jeopardise the goodwill which at present existed towards the dominion in the butter industry in Great Britain. It was a very difficult thing to try and bring about restriction of the number of agents, for it was liable to cause resentment among those who were excluded. In view of the objections raised, lie would approach the Minister of Agriculture on the lines indicated. .