DAIRY BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 30 September 1936, Page 11

DAIRY BOARD

NOT A DEPARTMENT. CHAIRMAN’S 3TE3V. Per Press Association. 3VHANGAREI, Sept. 29. The annual conference of No. 1 ward of the Dairy Control Board was held to-day. Mr A. J. Murdoch, chairman of the board, presided. Mr Murdoch said that, as a new department had taken over control of the board’s staff, there should be no difficulty in handling produce at the New Zealand or English ends. Dealing with the constitution of the board, Mr Murdoch gave a complete denial to statements that the board was a Government department. It was consulted and largely dominated by the Government, but its first job was to make representations on behalf of the industry. “Many of us may not be satisfied with the present conditions in the industry,” Mr Murdoch said, “but whatever our personal views the job of the board is to give to the powers in control every opportunity to make good. If they fail in their objects then it is the duty of the board members to voice complaints and introduce further ideas.

“It is my ideal to give a 100 per cent, service, and so far the board has received no complaints from the Minister. Judging from our limited statutory powers it does not appear that we have much work to do, but the Minister has rimde it clear that we are definitely a useful adjunct to the work of the department and in a consultative capacity. You hang on to your board, and if it fails you in any way, do not hesitate to say so.” Asked about the position of local marketing, Mr Murdoch replied: “You know as much ns we do on the subject. Mr Duncan has advised the board to tell directors to go ahead, and that nothing harsh will be done.”

A motion expressing the opinion that a compensating price was essential to meet the rising costs accruing in the dairy industry was carried.