ABSOLUTE CONTROL ISSUE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 August 1926, Page 4

ABSOLUTE CONTROL ISSUE

MINISTERS ACTION DISCUSSED

DENSE BE MOT I.ON WITH DRAWN

That the shareholders of the Manga told Dairy Company express their extreme disappointment in the action of their member (Hon. O. J. Hawken}, both as a member and as Minister of Agriculture, assisting and championing the enforcement of absolute control, feeling assured that such action, is premature, will prove extremely detrimental to the industry, and in many cases disastrous to supply shareholders.

Such was a motion proposed by Mr. Jacob Marx at the annual meeting ot suppliers of the Mangatoki Co-operative Dairy Company yesterday. But, after a protracted discussion, the motion was withdrawn. “I believe in limited; control, but the board has precipitated the adoption of tiie extreme measures at too early a stage, and in this our member has failed us,” said Mr. Marx. He stressed that, if unsuccessful, the operation of absolute control would have a disastrous effect on the prosperity of the .Dominion as a whole, there being no other industry which was of such importance to the country as the dairy interests. Absolute control would, mean the loss of previous methods of arranging finance and under it dairy companies would be deprived ot their free markets. Under the free marketing system, companys had no difficulty even though prospects were not particularly good, in arranging for maximum advances ; but under the control system no prospects offered of‘obtaining the .same liberal terms. In seconding, Mr. E. H. Ousey advanced the opinion that when the vote on the question, had been taken, farmers had no idea that the matter would be taken as far as it- had been. •Mr. Geo. Preece said the would be very sorry if the- meeting adopted the motion embodying such reflections on . the Minister, in whom the speaker; considered the daiying industry would be well served. He pointed out that at present full information, as to the- advances, which the board would be able to arrange, was .not .available and appealed to suppliers to allow the board an opportunity of dealing with the matter before passing hasty censure on it. “I don’t think Air. Hawken or any individual should be singled out as the ‘black sheep’ in the matter,” said Mr. I). L. A. Astbury. “It seems rather invidious that the Minister should be chosen, to bear the blame of action for which all members of Cabinet are equally culpable. I Ihave no sympathy with Air. Hawken or his party in their action regarding the control issue, dess- , pit© the- decided opinion which has been voiced for the postponement of the measure, and if the Government or the Cabinet was to be censured by the motion I would .support it, but I cannot endorse the censure of the Alinister individually.” Replying to an inquiry, the chairman, said; that Mr. Hawken had pointed out that in .supporting the measure he had a mandate from the farmers of the country. Air. Free referred to a meeting of producers at Wellington, when the measure was under consideration. A 'strong section of those piesent had left the room when the vote was taken, and the Government had subsequently intimated that it would hare desired a more representative vote on the question. “Now that control is coming into operation,” said Mr. Free, “I conceive it to be our duty to give the board every possible assistance.” Air J. AI. Catenby concurred and asked the meeting to negative the motion. After further discussion, Air. Alarx intimated his willingness to withdraw the motion, and with the consent of the, seconder this was done.