The Hawera Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1927. DAIRY PRODUCE MARKETING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 April 1927, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1927. DAIRY PRODUCE MARKETING.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clook in Ilawera, Manaia, Normanby. Okaiawa. Eltliam. Mangatoki, Kaponga. Alt-wi. Hurley ville. Patea, Waverley. Mokoia, Wliakamara, Ohangai. Meremere. Fraser Hoad and Ararata

The three hundred farmers and others interested in the dairying industry who met in conference at Hawera yesterday showed, for the most part, good sense and restraint similar to that displayed at the recent Palmerston North meeting of suppliers. It was only to be expected, under the existing circumstances, that there would bo a proportion of those attending -who would be seeking vengeance upon those whom they blame for the present unsatisfactory state of the dairy produce market, but it is a tribute to the reasonableness of the majority engaged in the industry that the proportion was not greater than it was. By its declaration in favour of a return to a pre-control basis of marketing the meeting did no more than make a demand which the action of the Board in agreeing to abolish price-fixing made reasonable, but if the majority of those present had not shown restraint and a readiness to make the best of a bad job, the resolution which will* adopted after more far-reaching amendments had been thrown out, would not have given any recognition to . the necessity of retaining some form of organisation for the handling of New Zealand’s largo annual pay-out of dairy product. Even among those who have been most bitterly disappointed with the results of control, there is a majority in favour of the retention of the Board as an organisation to arrange shipping and insurance and to conduct advertising campaigns in an endeavour to open new markets for their produce, an.d if the wishes of the producers arc carried out on the right lines, the Board will be able to render service to the industry and the cormtry of great immediate, and even greater prospective, value. The rejection of aD amendment put to yesterday’s meeting requesting repeal of the compulsory clauses of the Act will occasion disappointment in some quarters, but there is no real cause for disappointment, even on the part of those who believe that compulsion interferes with those “inalienable rights” about which Ave have heard so much since control became a burning question, for if pricefixing is no longer to be a part of the Board’s policy, compulsion loses most, if not all, of its meaning. It may be true that the producer will be still required to market his produce through the Board, but so long as his goods are going on to the English market without anjr restrictions as to price, he is not likely to suffer because his produce is shipped, insured and advertised by the Board. Judging from the expressions of opinion given by the majority of those who have attended the various conferences which have been held to date, farmers fully realise that they have nothing to lose, but everything to gain by shipping through the Board, and it should not be Jong before even those who are opposed on principle to compulsion realise that it has lost most of its meaning, or at least that part of its meaning which they find objectionable. 'On the other hand, there is much to be said for the retention of the compulsory clauses at the present juncture. If the Board carries out the recommendations regarding shipping, insurance and advertising, and thereby obtains better conditions in respect of the two former features of the export busiucss, and, by its advertising, increases the demand for New Zealand butter and cheese, it is only fair that the whole of the producers should stand together in finding the money for the Board to carry on its work on their behalf. If the money which the Board has to expend on advertising creates goodwill towards the New Zealand producer i

abroad and extends tlie demand for liis produce, it is only just that all who benefit should assist in finding the money to carry on the work, but it is certain that if compulsion were dropped there would be some farmers who would patronise other channels for marketing their goods while reaping the benefit received from the expenditure of money upon maintaining and increasing the demand for New Zealand dairy produce. Until it can be conclusively proved that the producers could do better by releasing their butter and cheese through proprietary channels, all should be required to support the Board by means of compulsion in some form. If the compulsory clauses are withdrawn now, the withdrawal will amount to an admission that there is no further use for the Board in the export market, for even those who can see most clearly the advantages still to be gained by retaining the organisation, could not afford to continue their support if they found that all the farmers who were benefiting by the Board’s activities in shipping and advertising were not helping to bear the cost. However, judging by the tone of the recent meetings of farmers and business men in Taranaki and elsewhere, there is little likelihood of a serious effort being made to destroy the whole of the organisation which has been built up during the last year.