MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1923. THE DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 27 August 1923, Page 4

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1923. THE DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

After many long arguments and a great number of meetings throughout the Dominion the much-debated Dairy Control Bill has been passed by both Houses. The opponents of the measure and its supporters have been vigorously engaged in their respective campaigns since the Bill was first prepared, and while the one side has pointed out what it considers to be serious dangers from the method of control, the other side has as strongly urged that ! great benefits will be gained by properly organised control of dairy produce. The annual meeting of the National Dairy gave a strong vote in favour of the measure, and meetings of producers in other parts of New Zealand have in the majority of cases supported the Bill. Mr Massey promised last session that the Government was prepared to give effect to such proposals as represented the wishes j>£ the great majority of producers. The posi- " tion has been made, clear since last session, and the Bill which Parliament has passed should be regarded as representing the wishes of the great majority of the dairy producers of the Dominion. The majority of the producers have therefore consented to the proposals for control, and the Bill is one of a comprehensive nature, giving the Board very extensive powers.- Those who support the Bill have stressed the need for control and the pool, while opponents are equally as emphatic in denouncing the measure. We suppose that no methods for combining the producers could have been devised that would not contain elements of danger. It has been claimed for the Meat Control Act that it has been of great benefit to the industry, and it is argued that the improvements in the meat industry can also be , achieved by the dairy producers. Everyone hopes the dairy control system will prove successful, but it will depend very much upon the administration of the measure. The Meat Control Board has been able to operate the Act smoothly and has avoided raising the hostility predicted. Again, the 8.A.W.R.A., which was formed in Australia at a time when the outlook for wool was so discouraging, has been a success, though it was also subjected to severe criticism when it began its work.. If these organisations have been successful and have proved of real benefit to producers as .claimed for them, wo-..-can.-see ; no good reason to anticipate failure for the Dairy Produce Control Board. Of course, the Board is bound to meet with some difficulties, but, representing the producers as a whole, it should be able to overcome them better than the producers can in the absence of organisatien. It seems strange that in these days when organisation and union have been brought to a high point of perfection in so many directions, there is such strong opposition to the primary producers seeking to bring their industries into line. However, if the proposals are j brought into operation (which depends on the result of the plebiscite), we trust that those who are chosen to administer the export of our dairy produce will act with great care and judgment, and that instead of antagonising certain interests they will be able to work in with them to the benefit of all. As for the producers who have opposed the Bill, we hope that they will accept the position and not in any way seek to obstruct the Board, but give it every chance. The Bill is one of the most important that has ever come before the House, and we believe that it has been passed because the majority of members csnscientiously believe that it will Improve the position, which, as supporters and opponents of control admit, has not ! been as satisfactory as it might have been. It is important to note that a i cable message published in Saturday's Star stated that Siberian butter "is reaching the London market. Although Siberia may be some time before it becomes a serious rival, it should be borne in mind that the exchange rate will enable the Russians to sell at a much lower price than their competitors. It is to be hoped that whatever is done by the Board of Control when it is established it will not do anything to cause hostility towards New Zealand on the English market. Groat interest will be taken by producers in the plebiscite in a few weeks' time.