DAIRY COMMISSION

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1934, Page 5

DAIRY COMMISSION

SCOPE OF INQUIRY Changes of Production (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. May 3. ' The following is the order cf reference for the Dairy Commission. It is to inquire into and report on: — (1) The existing relationship between production of dairy produce in New Zealand and the demand for such produce in New Zealand, or I he existing overseas markets. (2) The practicability of extending the existing markets and of establishing new markets. (3) The desirability or otherwise of varying .the proportions existing between the different classes of manufactured dairy produce, produced for local or for overseas markets. (4) Economic practicability of utilisation of raw dairy products for the purposes other than the manufacture of butter and cheese. (5) Desirability or otherwise of reducing the total 'output of dairy produce by the utilisation for other purpose of the lands that are now being used, or are intended to be used ■ for dairy farming. (6) Methods generally followed in the production of raw products, or of manufactured products, and any practicable improvements of those methods, or any of them that could be adopted with advantage. (7) Sufficiency or otherwise of monetary returns for the use of capital or labour received by persons directly or indirectly engaged in the industry. (8) The manner in which charges On proceeds of industry can best be reduced, having regard to the interests of dairy farmers and of the workers engaged in the industry in production of raw products, of the persons engaged in manufacture of dairy produce, and of persons having capital invested by way of mortgage or otherwise in the industry or in any enterprise associated with the indus.(0) Desirability or otherwise of affording further osistance for maintenance and reasonable development of the industry and means by which any such assistance can best be afforded . (.10) The methods that should be adopted for the purpose of securing proper co-op'eration between persons engaged in New Zealand in production, manufacture, sale or distribution of dairy produce and persons simi'arly engaged elsewhere. (11) Methods that may reasonably be adopted for promoting increased consumption in New Zealand or elsewhere of raw or manufactured dairy produce. (12) The adequacy of provisions of the Dairy Industry Act. 1908, and Dairy Export Control Act. 1923, having regard to the special conditions now affecting the industry. The Commission is to report by June 16. Mr H. L. Wise, District Officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce at Wellington, had been appointed to the secretariat of the Royal Commission to investigate the dairy industry. Mr Wise recently acted as a member of the special committee set up by the Government to enquire iii'-o the question of New Zealand coinage and currency. A unanimous decision to prepare a case for submission to the Dairy Commission. wa s made by the Farmers’ Union executive to-day. Several speakers spoke of the need for speedy action, and expressed the opinion it was not necessary for the Commission to take evidence, but to proceed at once on their personal knowledge of industry. They had the right tioi call in experts on any tech nival question. It was decided, however, to set up a committee to prepare case, and the following were appointed: Messrs Polson (Chairman). Mellsop (Auckland). Campbell (Dairy Farmers’ Union). Bly de (Taranaki). Arnobt (Southland), F. Waite (Southland). Mr Polson was appointed to present the case to the Commission. HAWERA, May 3. South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union resolved that the Royal Commission <of inquiry into the problems of the dairy industry should hold sittings and take evidence in Taranaki as the most concentrated dairying district in the Dominion,, YET ANOTHER BOARD WELLINGTON, May 3. The “Gazette” to-night announces the appo’ntment of a Dairy Factory Managers’ Registration Board as follows:—Messks P 0. 11, Petersen and J. Murray (on the recommendation of the Dairy Factory Managers’ Association), C. P. Agar and T. A. Winks (on the recommendation of the Dairy Produce Control Board), W. Bagr.'e (on the recommendation of the Otago and Southland Cheese Factory Managers’ Union) W Rid dett (on the recommendation of the Massey Agricultural College Council). W. M. Singleton and AV. E. Gwillim (as members of the staff of the Department "of Agriculture) MR COATES ON MR GOODFELLOW AUCKLAND. May 3. Statements regarding the British but'er market made by Mr W. Good follow in his monthly market review . were referred to by the Minister for Finance (Rt. Ron. J. G. Coates), in an interview before his departure from Morrinsville. There was probably no one who had a better grasp of the dairy industry in New Zealand than Mr Goodfellow, said Mr Coates. His advice was at all times valuable but; it seemed that he was becoming concerned chiefly with the trading and marketing aspects rather than th*a producing side icf the industry. It was the producer, and particularly the small producer, who was entitled to the consideration of the Government.

The dairy farmer had never before needed direction and assistance as he needed it to-day. Mr Goodfellow’s point was that the price, factor was gradually reducing the world production, and would bring about its own cure, which would be better than an artificial scheme of raising prices by restriction. It was to be inferred, said Mr Coates, that the reduction of ■v/orld production by the unchecked price factor was Mr Goodfellow’s view of the natural form of restriction; but it would only restrict production by forcing off their land the small farmers who were unable to cope with low price levels. The dairy industry was of such economic importance to New Zealand that safe, guards were imperative. N.Z. BUTTER OUTPUT AUCKLAND. May 2 The official estimate of the production of butter in New Zealand during the 1933-31 season places the t<tal at 168.500 tons, a total of 140 000 tons being for export and 28,500 tons for local consumption The figure for local consumption does not vary greatly. The export hotal output of 140.000 tons compares with 127.799 tons produced in the previous season, and 101.211 toils in the 1931-32 season. The increase, based on the estimate, is 12 201 tons more than the 1932-33 figure, or 9.5 per cent. The 1932-33 yield exceeded that of 1931-32 by 23.588 tons, or 22.6 per cent. Britain’s Reasons FOR BUYING FROM FOREIGNERS. LONDON, May 3. The “Daily Telegraph’s’’ political correspondent, discussing the \e v Zealand free trade inquiry, says:— “The Government will assure th Dominions that their refusal to sacrifice the foreigner is due solely t< the need for retaining Britain’s export markets. This should in «<• way be regarded as an ac|t of un friendliness towards the Dominions.” The editor al urges the Government to continue to seek an agreement with the Dominions on quantitative lines, affording the producer a h : gher price, for smaller - sypp ies. ANOTHER FEELER? LONDON Mav 3. In the House of Commons. M: Hander questioned the Prme Minister as to whether the Government wou'd consider the adwsableness of a gon era! consultation with the Dominion* on issues raised by New Zealand’s inquiry as to the poss-bility of an agreement for mutually free markets. Mr R MacDonald said th-' Government had received no indication from any of the Dominions that such arrangements were either desired or would bp acceptable to them. There fore, be saw no reason to think such a consultation of any advantage. OVERSEAS COMPETITION DANISH ASCENDANCY TN BRITAIN LONDON. May 2. How British trade with Denmark has increased sine© the signing of the agreement is sluown in the report of the Overseas Trade Department. Danish imports to the United Kingdom advanced from 255 million kroner in 1932 to 355 millions in 1933. The United Kingdom’s share of Denmark’s total import trade was 28 1 per • ven.t.. comapared with 22 3 in 1932. and 14.9 in the previous year. The United Kingdom in 1933 took practically all Denmark’s shipments of bacon, eighty-four per cent, of her butter, and seventy per cent, of her eggs. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal) will raise the question of the New Zealand inquiry for mutually free markets. in the debate on the Dominions vote, in the Commons on May 7. Although the meat agreements ter minate on June 30. the “Sun’’ understands it is possible that Britain will not definitely enforce further restrictions, preferring to wait consultations, particularly in view of Mr Bruce’s imminent return. I he “ Yorkshire Observer” says the Government will K e asked to 'grant more subsidies to farmers. The Conservative Parliamentary Committee adopted a report of the live stock sub-committee, in favour of subsidies for live stock to farmers. The Government, will also be asked specially to consider the disparity between prices ruling for the same’ but ter in Holland, Britain and New Zealand. Producers’ figures reveal the existence of a substantial Danish export bounty at the expense of Empire producers. BRITISH SECURE RESTRICTION. ON JAPANESE TRADE. LONDON. May 3. The “Morning Post*' says: “As : result of negotiations by the Government with the Crown Colony adnvnistrators and the Lancashire industrialists, an agreement has been reached to restrain the .Japanese from competition in textiles bv means of quotas. It j s believed Mr Runciman will to-day inform M Matsudaira that he will be- compelled to put the quotas into operation failing an agreement.”