DAIRY PRODUCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 102, 30 March 1926, Page 8

DAIRY PRODUCE

CONTROL BOARD’S FINANCES

CREDITS IN LONDON

Dofinito assurances havo now been given in writing by all tho distributors in Tooley Streot who have been engaged in tho past in handling New Zealand dairy produco upon tho London market that they will establish letters of credit in tlio name of tho Dairy Board under its policy to bo initiated in August next. Similar assurances are now being secured from tho Now Zealand firms engaged in tho same business, whose head offices aro in Now Zealand.

This information was forwarded to the Dairy Board by cablegram from tho London agency, stating: “Obtained in writing from importers willingness establish credits in namo of board.” Then followed the names of tho firms concerned, which are as follow: Lovell and Cnristmas, Ltd., A. J. Mills and Co., Ltd., R. and W. Davidson, Ltd., Weddels, Ltd., J. and J. Lonsdale, Ltd., Foley Bros., Ltd., Anglo-Continental Produce Co., Ltd., Andrew Clements and Sons, Ltd., G. Gillanders, Oetzes and Gerritzen, Ltd., Co-oporativo Marketing Association, Ltd., Pago and Son, Ltd., A. C. Rawson, Henry Lano and Co., Ltd., Armour and Sons, Ltd., National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., New Zea- s land lioan and Mercantile Agency, Ltd., Dalgety and Co., Ltd. “NEVER ANY DOUBT ABOUT FINANCE.” In commenting upon this information to a Wellington reporter, Mr W. Grounds (chairman of tho board) said: “Everyone with an intimate knowledge of tho inner working of the export dairy produco trade has known throughout this controversy that there would bo no difficulty about finance under tho board’s policy. This we have asserted repoatedly, but, notwithstanding, it has remained the contro point of criticism and misrepresentation. An explicit statement was again made last week regarding finance, following which some critics even had tho temerity to declare thatwo wpre wilfully misleading, and that Tooley street would not establish the credits as we had stated. That Tooley street would go back on the assurances that had been given was unthinkable to us. Events havo once again proved that Tooley street needs to be protected from its so-called friends. A request to London for confirmation of the assurances resulted in a cablegram being received stating that all the leading firms had renewed their assurance in writing. Firms with their headquarters in New Zealand are doing likewise. We shall possibly now bo criticised for not having done this before, to which we answer in anticipation that there has never been any doubt upon the point, and we were not disposed to indicate any question in our mind of the honourable word of our distributive associates. A PURE BOGEY. “If critics have enjoyed conjuring up a bogey which they have played with almost affectionately, and which has again proved them to be wrong, wo leave them with their pleasures, as there can be few loft for them. Suffice it here to say that Tooley street is plainly aware of the advantages our system has to offer to tho legitimate distributor. That supplies shall be guaranteed to them in accordance with their distributive outlets is all that they desire. The difficulty under existing circumstances to securo these has been their greatest trouble. F.o.b. buying has mado the trado more speculative than ever. Serious disturbances to long established connections have been experienced, so that in the end some of our best distributors might have been forced to look for supplies from elsewhere. There was far more dangor to the industry from this than from any prospect of morchants seeking supplies from other countries as a result of tho board s policy. Wo know that in this connection that tho only way to preservo our interests in any competition with other countries is to be prepared to give better value and service for the money than any of them. CRITICS ANSWERED. “Welfare leagues and other critics, from their unvarying centre of inspiration, indicate with what restricted vision they approach the compulsory clause of the Act. Possibly when their thought has penetrated deeper they will realise how closely allied or interwoven are the policies of ‘compulsion’ and ‘protection.’ A lover patient, immediately the oase is diagnosed, is taken from his own home, notwithstanding tho fact that ho is ill, and conveyed compulsorily to an isolation ward. The local authority in doing this thinks that in tho end it will be best for tho patient, but its primary object in taking this ‘arbitrary’ action is to protect the'rest of the citizens. “The Dairy Board was instructed to investigate the whole question of marketing New Zealand produce. Further, it was charged with tho responsibility and given the power to take what ever action it deemed necessary. It decided that certain methods in present marketing wore inimical to the whole industry. In moving to eliminate them its object is not to compel the minority, but to protect the majority, and as with the fever case cited it is satisfied that its action is in the interests of all.

APPEAL BY MR BRUCE. - “It is significant that, almost about the time this Chamber of Commerce-cum-Welfare League deputation was waiting upon our own Prime Minister, the Prime Minister of Australia, in speaking to their chambers of commerce, said: ‘The gospel of efficiency should be preached by every Australian who loves his country and desires to see it great in tho future, and the people happy and prosperous.’ “In regard to marketing he said that producers and distributors were valuable national assets, but added that the present method of distribution was based on a wrong principle, as it was more designed to serve tho interests of the speculator than to conserve the rights of the producer and consumer and ensure a fair return to the legitimate distributor. In conclusion he said: ‘I ask you for your cooperation and the assistance of your great organisation. I ask you to give a lead to the nation. I ask you to give that lead down lines that will ensure benefits to the whole of the people, and in doing so be forgetful of your own individual and personal interests.’ LEAD TO DOMINION. “This, I think,” said Mr Grounds, “is a fitting appeal by a leader who clearly has examined the whole position, and is worthy to be classified with the finest examples of British high-principled public endeavour. Let us hope, if only for a revival of that period of high-principled public endeavour, that a similar message will bo delivered to New Zealand chambers of commerce when our Prime Minister has concluded the investigation he intimated would bo made.’