FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1923. DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 22 June 1923, Page 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1923. DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

— * The decision of the great majority of the delegates at the annual meeting of the National Dairy Association to support the Dairy Control Bill should serve as a guide to the Government in this important matter. The question has been discussed at great length in various parts of the Dominion, and there- should be no excuse for any of the delegates who were at Palnierston

North <?oinplaiiiiftg of not knowing what they were called upon to decide. At fcho conferences and through the newspapers much has bee& said both for and against the proposal, and the decision at the N.D.A, ft&eting is so definite tkat there oaft be little doubt as to what the representatives of the fac*tories think -Sibout the proposal* In such matters we believe that the producers have the right to say what they want' to \te> 'done, for it is their produce | and they are entitled to secure for it | the best disposal. The country's future welfare is very largely wrapped up in the dairying industry, and the people hope f&iat the best will h& done for the producers. In the past the New Zealand farmer has suffered considerable awnoyanoe and loss 'because of the inadequacy of the arrangements made for taking his produce to the consumers, and there fe&s been a general feeling that improvements were very much needed and sMnild be effected as soon as passible. How to bring about the better system has been the problem, and it is styill -a. question whether or not the Dairy Control Bill as it stands is going to dt> all that its advocates desire, if it is'passed by Parliament. The person outside of the industry is hardly competent to judge, and we- thmk that the Government acted wisely when it deferred the matter last session and asked producers to thrash out their differences before the present session. This the producers have done, and so the decision of the Palmerston gathering is th© more important. The scheme 1 must appeal to the majority • of" the delegates or they would not have -voted in favour of it. Whether or not the vote will be taken as thoroughly indicative of the desires of farmers remains to be seen, but members of Parliament must give consideration to it. The Meat Control Act has oeen credited with doing much good work and with effecting improvements in prices and in marketing, and the majority of the dairy producers think that it ought to be possible by similar means to improve the position with regard to butter and cheese. Maybe that some of the desired improvements cannot be effected, but if there is proS per organisation and the highest busi- ; ness capacity is brought to bear it i ought to be possible to do something for the industry. The shipping difficulties and other matters which have' been worrying producers, merit the most careful investigation and correction where possible, and a Control Board seems to be the best method available.. 'Of course the powers with which the board is ta be invested, if established, and the construction of the board are matters that will have to be given the most careful thought, also its line of action. Our opinion is that the board should co-operate with the British importing houses and the shipping companies, and we have no doubt that if properly approached they will be will- , ing to help the New Zealand producer. The scheme is of very great importance to the industry and to the Dominion as a whole, and it is to be hoped that, if the Bill is passed by Parliament and becomes operative, it will be a success. The opponents of the Bill have put forward many arguments, but they have to recognise that the majority of the ■N.D.A. delegates have not been able to adopt their viewpoint. If the Bill is finally p ass ed the duty of its opponents will be to accept the decision of the majority and endeavour ta do all they oan to make the Act a success The Government's part is to give effect W th& wishes of the producers and it seems probable- that th© Bill will be passed this session.