Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 1934. FARMING PROBLEMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 288, 2 November 1934, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 1934. FARMING PROBLEMS.

The debate on the Agricultural (Emergency Powers) Bill is being followed with, tbe closest attention of tbe country. Tbe Government having accepted responsibility for tbe rehabilitation of the dairy industry, and appointed the Royal Commission of investigation, it has a duty to discharge in giving reasonable effect to whatever it deems practicable in the recommendations it has received. But its Bill is good only in parts, and that fact has been generally recognised by the industry it chiefly affects and the public generally. Mr Forbes emphasised to a delegation from the dairy industry whom he met in conference that the Government intends to place the Bill upon the Statute Book; but he will be pleased to have the industry’s views upon it, especially in regard to the powers to be conferred upon the Commission of Agriculture, and any amendments deemed necessary may be made when the House resumes early next year. The speech of the Minister of Agriculture, when he moved the second reading, was naturally a defence of the Bill and did not break ground that has not been already covered. A strong point in its favour which the Minister stressed is the authority for the Commission to explore new markets. Whatever can be done in this direction requires no endorsement of its value. As Mr J. A. Nash pointed out in his address in opening the Spring Show at Palmerston North, marketing governs production, and a more adequate organisation toimprove marketing is essential. This was placed first in order of urgency. Unfortunately, the Meat and Dairy, Boards cannot escape the charge that in the past they have been rather more than content to depend upon the British market for the sale of our exportable produce they handle than fo explore with determination the markets offering elsewhere. To-day Britain is glutted with the products of countries whose normal outlets are closed by a policy of extreme nationalism, causing the people affected to pay exorbitant prices for agricultural and pastoral products. The point was emphasised at a meeting in London this week, when the chairman of United Dairies, Ltd., said that in many great dairying countries in Europe and in some of the Dominions the price of butter was artificially maintained at 100 to 300 per cent, above the export price. “If these countries allowed their own nationals to buy butter at the world price,” he said, “the glut would soon disappear and the world price would rise with greater benefit to the producer.” This is one serious problem on tire marketing side, a satisfactory solution of which would assist to a very material extent in restoring world prosperity.

Tlie feature of the Bill which disturbs public, opinion is the wide powers given to the Commission of Agriculture, legislation of a most radical type. As the Government is providing finance for the industry, the Minister defended the proposal by saying that the people finding the money should have some say in the conduct of the business. Even so it may be doubted whether the questions raised on this score have been satisfactorily answered and fears allayed. It is therefore satisfactory to note that some modification of the proposed powers is contemplated by the Government. The Prime Minister has said that all regulations made by the Commission must be laid before Parliament, and unless they are expressly vali-

dated will lapse. The obvious defect is that some considerable time may elapse between the Order-in-Council being promulgated and Parliament’s consideration. It is not to be inferred that the Commission will in any way abuse its powers, but an unfortunate situation with possibly serious results might very well arise if Parliament rejected any order made and acted upon by the Commission. Government by Order-in-Council has reached an advanced stage in the Dominion, and the pastoral industries are to be subjected, to a great deal more once the Bill is passed. The Auckland Star calls it a “dangerous precedent that may have unforeseen and grave results.” Everything, of course, will depend upon the constitution of the Commission, but Parliament must give the most serious consideration to the implications of this section of the Bill. Socialisation has many pitfalls which must be studiously avoided.