“ABSOLUTE CONTROL"

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10908, 28 May 1929, Page 2

“ABSOLUTE CONTROL"

OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS

A LONDON PROTEST

(By the 1928 Committee.)

“The Australian and New Zea-

land Merchants’ Association passed a resolution noting with great

concern the increasing tendency to form boards to control the. sale of produce exported to this side ol the world which, in the Association's opinion, greatly hampers node and is detrimental to the producers’ interests, especially as the sale of produce in other countries is not restricted, and conse-

quently results in those countries disposing of their produce ahead of Australia and New Zealand whenever the markets are over supplied.”—(Australian press Association.)

.Probably ihe above cablegram from London, which appeared in the Australian and is'cw Zealand newspapers a fortnight or so ago, has made but little impression upon the surviving aveent mends of “Absolute Control,” who have persuaded themselves that the producers of the Dominion can market their own goods at the other end of the world more satisfactorily than can the merchants and distributors who constitute ' such organisations as the Australia and New Zealand Merchants’ Association. Experience/ has caught them nothing, unless it •is r.hat “Absolute (Control” has endowed a certain number of individuals. with autocratic authority and so given them a certain measure oi prominence in the commercial community. This is 1 not to say that the nroinotcrs of this hazardous and costly aiiil mctfcclive method of distributing the country’s produce arc sacking’" merely their own personal interests. Their patriotism and sincerity may be taken for granted. Dot these, unhappily, are not the only qualities and possessions needed for successful marketing. SANE CONTROL. The meat growers were tlie first bouy of farmers to seek what may bo called co-operative authority in i,he shipping and distribution of their produce. They were met generously by Parliament and were-given all the authority and all the scope that subsequently were conceded to the dairy farmers, the I ru'it-g rowers • and the lmuey producers. The' Meat Board, however, was made up. mainly of m inors of long experience' who had watched eloselv life development ol their industry‘ in all its phases. Its members realised that the power ol “Absolute Control’’ given to it was intended to meet such rare omergeneis as those that occurred during the Ureal. War and during Ihe days of reconstruction. Jt accepted the aiitliorifv conferred upon it by the LegisI a lure in regard to compulsion, but it lias had neither need nor inclination to exercise it. The Meat Board, in fact, has followed the course the Legislature intended Ihe boards should, and all would have been well had the other bodies followed its example. REPENTANCE AND IMPENITENCE. . The .Dairy Control Board, containing a large proportion of welllueau'ii"' members who knew a great (16al more about the production ol butter and cheese than they did about tlie shipping and marketings of these commodities, shortly alter us institution -dispatched a delegation oh a living visit to the other end oJ the world'to learn all there was to learn about the dairying business, 'the delegates, though they had seen nothing of the kind in England or America or Denmark or any other part of Europe, returned with the obsession tluil “Absolute Control was absolutely necessary lor Hie adequate development ol : Ihe dairy industry in the Dominion. two years' ' experience ot " this policy brought the producers to their senses and last season they were tree to do what they pleased with their own pro duee, subject, of course, to the provisions maintained by ail enlightened board. The protest of the London representatives of the Australian and New Zealand merchants is a train st the Tem'tUhing ' “Absolute Control.” What is going to be done about it? The merchants have their alternative m looking elsewhere for their supplies.