SPY-GLASS ON DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 September 1935, Page 5

SPY-GLASS ON DAIRY INDUSTRY.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETS COMPANIES.

SIR FRANCES FRAZER’S VIEWS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N.. This Day.

In the course of an interview, >Sir Frances Frazer, chairman of the Executive Commission of * Agriculture, which is visiting this centre to hear evidence by dairy companies, said that it was not the intention of the Commission to use a big stick to the industry. However, after all information had been collated, the Commission would have to frame some broad principles for the rationalisation of cream than at present, because it had found conditions varying and so many cross current complications that it had been decided to secure as much information as possible about the difficulties existing. Both the Dairy Board and the Commission were at present jointly considering the whole question of export markets. Sir Francos stated; “The stock position is very largely responsible for milk supply. The Commission was holding its’ hand because it was more satisfactory, owing to the diversity of local conditions, to get the companies concerned to make arrangements best adopted to their own circumstances, as well as give them voice in any such decision. Further the Commission was not doing anything of a compulsory nature at the rise in butter prices and also the shortage of Australian supplies early in the season. The price is still operating but it is not known what effort speculators will later have on the market. Wc can only hope that the indications are such as to show that a seasonal drop in prices will, be delayed longer than usual.” Discussing cheese payments as compared with those for butter, Hir Frances commented that this was a different problem. Cheese milk suppliers should be receiving 2d per lb more than butter factory suppliers, because of the extra costs they have to meet, but actually in some cases they had been receiving a little less. Cheese factories naturally wanted to retain their identity. Some had their liabilities, but it was a serious thing to have to decide whether a. fanner should supply a cheese factory for an indefinite period when the possibility of his going to a Mortgage Court for relief, or keeping out of it, depended upon the difference in payments. The Commission and Daily Board members are now in conference with the delegates from the dairy factories of Manawatu and West Coast. They will later undertake an economic survey of the industry in this area at the request of the Dairy Factories’ Association.