CONTROL OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Evening Star, Issue 21881, 19 November 1934, Page 14

CONTROL OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

CRITICISM OF GOVERNING BODIES CO-ORDINATION SCHEME ENDORSED [Per United Press Association.] STRATFORD, November 17. Dealing with the legislation passed last session relating to control of the primary, industries, ‘ Point Blank,’ the official organ of thp Farmers’ Union, says in an editorial that marketing places have been one of the dominion’s weakest spots. “ The Meat Board,” says the article, “ makes no determined effort to break in new markets elsewhere than in Britain. The Dajry Board is content to go on piling increasing production into England in the face'of annually increasing figures whuch must have shown it that the ultimate result would be disaster. The Fruit Board, when new markets were opened for it in America; did not bother to take advantage of them because at "the moment it could get about the same price in London without the worry of establishing new connections.

“It is time somebody took hold ot New Zealand’s products and tackled the_ job of disposing of them on more lines. A country which has something to sell must be prepared to offer something in exchange. It is no longer a job for individual boards to dabble in. The Government has recognised this, and has co-ordinated the work of the various producers’ organisations under the Minister so that we can offer not one, but all the products of the dominion, as an inducement to trade. If such an arrangement necessitates treaty or tariff adjustments the Government, through its representative, will be in touch with the position and able to act. The responsibility is the Government’s in the last analysis, and in meeting the demands of the primary industries the Government has done the wisest thing.” ~