HON. T. MACKENZIE INTERVIEWED.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 55, 6 March 1911, Page 6

HON. T. MACKENZIE INTERVIEWED.

USEFUL EXCHANGE* OF

OPINIONS

The representatives of the conference interviewed the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Agriculture and Trade and Commerce, to discuss the proposals with him. Messrs Wilson and Lysnar were the principal speakers, and they urged that in order to carry out the resolutions regarding a Home representative of the producers ■ statutory power should-be obtained to constitute producers' committees, somewhat on the lines of the rabbit boards, with power to raise funds. It was explained that, the. conference was not agreed as to whether the formation of these committees should be voluntary or compulsory. The expenses would be betweeii £2000 and £3000 a year,, and how to raise this money was an open question. The Minister: Were you thinking of a sheep tax?' ; Mr Lysnar; "I think a stock tax Avould be a good thing." He added that the old sheep tax brought in £20,000 per annum, so that five shillings per thousand on sheep alone would provide more than was required. If the improvements resulted in getting a penny per pound more for meat it would >be a big return. He wished to say that, on the question of a stock tax tlie committee was not unanimous. They left it to the Minister to decide.

Mr Wilson suggested a subsidy as a more popular way of meeting-the difficulty. !. . The Minister replied that, it was hardly fair to throw the onlis upon him of decidiiig how to raise the money. Ho was very glad to see that a movement had been started to improve condition, for, although there had been improvements in shipping conditions, much . remained to be clone. Thero was still the old evil in. regard to insurance, and much could be saved over the allowance on weights. During his own experience in London he found it better to sell or. London ( weights than on total New .ftealad weights. The success of the scheme depended entirely xipon the capability and knowledge or the man Avho was sent Home to represent the producers. His expensps would be. very great, and it would probably require £3000 a.year to keep him going. During a conversation with sever.il of the- delegates, the Minister urged them to ascertain the measure of support their scheme would receive, because the financial side' would be the easiest of all tilings to arrangp. To be able to enfore his recommendations, the producers' representative should be able to control the New Zealand output.