COMMODITY COUNCILS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 May 1938, Page 3

COMMODITY COUNCILS

AUCKLAND FARMERS’ ATTITUDE. [PEK I’HESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, May 17. I .The proposals adopted at the Empire Primary Producers’ Conference held in Sydney last month formed the basis of a. long debate at the conference of the Auckland provincial branch which centred on the proposed establishment of commodity councils by Empire producer organisations, lasted for more than two hours. The debate at several times became heated, and the president (Mr. 11. 0. Mellsop) had several times to call representatives

to order. The decision made at the Sydney conference that Empire producing organisations should co-operate to establish commodity councils designed to work for the prevention of avoidable gluts on the London market and resultant instability of price levels and speculation was criticised by Mr. v. Goodfellow, managing directed of Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd. The setting up of such councils, Mr. Goodfellow said, would relieve the New Zealand Government of the responsibility of working for the maintenance in London of free amt unrestricted markets for New Zealand dairy pio-

duce. Replying to Dlr. Goodfellow, Mr. A\. TV. Mulholland, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, who was one of the Dominion delegates to the Sydney conference, said that there was no provision made for any commodity council to act as negotiator between Governments. The commodity councils had been planned to regulate supplies from the producing countries, so that restrictions might be avoided. “I consider,” lie said, “that Mr. Good-

fellow’s apprehensions are unfounded. The recommendations adopted at the Sydney conference were definitely in the interests of our dairy export industry.” j Mr. Mellsop, who was also present lat the Sydney conference, supported ) Mr. Mulholland’s contentions. The following motion was carried: "The ratification by the Auckland branch of the Farmers’ Union of the proposals brought down by the primary producers’ conference shall not ■lbe held to attach or apply to any particular industry, until or unless that ■ | industry shall signify its approval. I, Toward the close of the session, Mr. Goodfellow said he was sure the pro-

posal to set up a commodity council in Loudon would not be accepted by the dairy industry in New Zealand.