THE DAIRY BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 May 1928, Page 7

THE DAIRY BOARD.

MR. GROUNDS STATES THE POSITION.

“INDUSTRY PASSING THROUGH A CRISIS.”

“The industry is passing through' a crisis,” said Mr. W. Grounds, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board. . when addressing the North Auckland Dairy Conference at Auckland. “Although to the public,” he continued, “the shock only appears to have just fallen, I consider we are well through it. To those who had inside knowledge of the,position it had been obvious that such a crisis must be met—that was. if those who at the present time are in charge of the destinies of the hoard had the corn-age to stand up to the efforts being made in certain quarters to. absorb the direction of the industry.” Mr. Grounds said he recognised his responsibilities. He would never descend' to the vulgar idea that he was quarrelling with individuals. What he had to say would have no bearing upon that." He had warned the industry of the consequences that would result if a certain course were adopted. He referred to a certain remark that hadi been made by Mr. Goodfellow at Cambridge that he (Mr. Grounds) would press forward with: his eyes closed. He would leave those present to judge if he had beem moving forward with his eyes closed. Mr. Grounds then dealt with the incident of the nomination paper which bad not lieen received in time. Personally, he said, he had—no knowledge of Mr. Booker. The Dairy Board played no part in the election, as the returning officer was an officer of the Vgricultural Department. Where was their sportsmanship in asking the speaker to start over again when they had fallen at the first hurdle? In view of the whole story he could not help hut be reminded of Cromwell’s remarks when he scanned the scene prior to Dunbar: “The Lord hath delivered them into our hands.” He did not toel disposed to fly in the face of that divinity which had so plainly shaped' their ends ih that matter. He sug l Tested that Mr. Goodfellow’s spectacular resignation was belated. It should have come at the time when Mr. Goodfellow organised a separate selling organisation. There was an implication that the speaker was advocating a- pooling policy, hut he was l doing no such thing. To> suggest moling at the present day was gene.rdlv indicative of those minor imhertlities characteristic of statements Mint had been made.