CAMPAIGN BEGINS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 February 1935, Page 5

CAMPAIGN BEGINS

ELECTION OF DAIRY BOARD MR CrREEN AT KAUPOKONUI MARKET REGULATIONS CONDEMNED “I have been for 35 years in the dairy industry, including 21 years as the chairman of a dairy factory, an feel qualified to offer myself as a candidate for election to the Dairy Board,” said Air W. C. Green, m addressing directors of the Ivaupokonui and JRiverdale Dairy Companies at Kaupokomu last night. The chairman of the Knupokonui Dairv Company, Air E. Burke, presided and -following an address ot over an hour, Mr Green answered a number of questions. . Prior to outlining his policy, Mr Green gave his reasons for not making a policy speech at the meeting called bv the Federation and held m Stiatford a week or so ago. He further stated that he had not attended a meeting convened in Dannevirke for what he termed “electioneering purposes because it clashed with a meeting of the Dairy Board, and lie felt that his duty was to that first. One of the first things Air Giccii would do, if elected as a member of the board, would be.to make a recommendation to the Supreme Council that the margarine question be enipuied into. He was of the opinion that if the British Government was .approached in the right way a letter arrangement could be come to, « ere . produce would be allowed to enter the country free of duty. - present time,” he said, “we are senein- second grade butter to Britain, and if steps are taken to stop this there will be no need to worry about restrictions.” Most of the butter was of high quality, and Air Green s contention was that if only the best quality was sent Home the need for a quota would automatically become non-existent. Under a proper scheme of marketing, Air Green believed that whey butter could be made into ghee and sold Jn India. There should also bo a ready sale for whey butter in New Zeal add, as many pastrycooks at the present time were using margarine, and an attempt should he made to get them to use whey butter instead. This sort of thing should be attended to by the board before the consideration ol restrictions at the other end The old dairy board would not consider the question of new markets for dairy produce, and it would be a poor look out for New Zealand if there was only one market and the rate of production was increased. His remedy was to send out commissioners to find and exploit new markets. He was definitely not in favour of and the people would not stand for it. If there was a subsidy of 2d or 3d per lb paid to the dairy farmers, there would soon be an uproar, and, further, the eountrv could not stand the expense. “Where Would the money come from?” he asked, replying by saying that a person might just as well ask where the wind went to when it was not blowing.

COMMISSION'S REPORT SOUND He believed whole-heartedly in the report of the Dairy Commission, although it would he some years besome of the recommendations could he put into operation, continued Mr Green. The report was a genuine attempt by the Government • to solve the problem and the dairy farmer should be thankful for it.

Regarding local markets, Mr Green said that he supported Mr A. J. Sinclair’s scheme after the committee had gone into it and had approved of it. There was no doubt that if properly marketed the price could he increased without hardship to the consumer. The increased profits from this source, could be used to exploit new markets. In marketing, Mr Green was always opposed to compulsion of any description. The 1928 Dairy Board had brought control into operation, but before long it had to be scrapped, and a return made to free markets. The board got one “bug”—it thought it could’ control the British merchant. “If we were the only country sending produce,” said Mr Green, “we could dictate, hut produce from all over the world is going into Britain. 1 am definitely opposed to compulsion in any shape or form.” Most of his time on the board had been spent in fighting the marketing regulations, said Mr Green. The new regulations had not been a ’ success 'by any means, in spite of what other members of the board may say. He always maintained that the regulations could never he carried out, as the merchants were able to gamble with the produce. The hoard had agreed to allocate the produce to the merchants and had set up a committee to make the allocations. He had objected to this system, contending that the factories should make their own allocations and deal direct with the merchants. Mr Green pointed out in detail what he claimed to he the fallacies in the board s allocation scheme, stating that the bigger companies could make their own allocation, hut the smaller companies were attended to hv the hoard. He went on to deal at some length with the weakness of the marketing regulations. The board, he said, had received definite proof of the fact that the regulations wore useless, and that they were bei,ng mutilated b)v the merchants, but the hoard was not “game” to tell the country what was going on, nor to “scrap” the regulations. The proof in the knowledge of the board had been made confidential, and therefore he could not use it, hut lie assured his hearers that there had been definite breaches of the regulations, and despite the

proofs, the board would hide it up. The regulations were absolute humbfig, and Mr Green said that if he could show the contents of a. recent cable, liis hearers would realise it. Mr Green had moved, on receipt of the cable, that tin* offenders’ allocations he cancelled, hut ho got no seconder. He then moved that the information be handed on to the now board, but that resolution had not been seconded either. The hoard continued its “hush-hush” policy, ho said. It was decided to cable the offenders threatening drastic action should a further breach of the regulations occur. “I laughed at them,” said Air Green.

“PLUCK NEEDED”

“I ask you to elect someone to the board who will have the pluck to stand up and look after the interests of the industry,” continued Air Green. He said he had always worked hard and had always supported the board when he thought they were on the right lines, but he was not going to let such things pass without protest as had been done. Each of the other candidates had referred at other meetings to the fact that Mr Winks would be one of the Government nominees on the new board, he continued. Despite the denial given by the Prime Alinister, they continued to make the statement, and he thought that in fairness to everyone the subject should be dropped. “It is hardly playing the game,” he said.

As far ns the port of Patea was concerned, Air Green said he was always sympathetic. The shipping contract was a good one, and the hoard had dpne good work in establishing it. When the contract was made it was agreed that the subsidy should he paid, and while Patea continued as it was to-day it was entitled to the subsillv. He could not advocate sending the produce to New Plymouth even if that port could handle it,, which it could not. He would abide by the contract, and if elected, would support a continuance of it. “We should protect Patea and not allow Wanganui to cut charges to the detriment of Patea either,” he stated.

In answer to a question, Mr Green said that the hoard could not find out the requirements of white or coloured cheese without enquiry being made in London. The hoard should be guided by the London manager, who would have the knowledge whether to increase white or coloured as the case might be. The alterations could he made on receipt of his advice. Regarding the use of levies. Air Green said that too much of the levy had been spent on advertising, and too

little on scientific research. If there was not a greater allocation for scientific research, the Research Councils should he done awav with.

Ho did not- believe in marketing butter under one brand, “Empire.” Ho thought the old system of allowing each factorv to use its own brand

should he reverted to. Alt- Green was accorded a vote of thanks for his address.