ABSOLUTE CONTROL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3288, 6 March 1926, Page 14

ABSOLUTE CONTROL

PRESS CRITICISM. The latest announcement by the Dairy Produce Board to persist with I its policy of absolute control as from August Ist next, is meeting with keen criticism from all directions. The champions of Free Marketing who are making a strong appeal for moderation and postponement of extreme measures have declared their Intention to continue their activities and there is plenty of evidence of increased sympathy with their cause. In an article headed "Should it Wait?’' the Wellington "Evening Post” a few days ago put the position very plainly. "It is conceded," was the conclusion of the writer, "that the Board can do an immense amount of work of great benefit to the Industry without interfering with the distribution of the produce, without exercising the absolute control it has decided upon, without antagonising any firm engaged in the distribution of produce in the British markets, without infringing the rights of producers or anyone else to dispose of their own property, without pooling the returns from producers’ property; but will be playing with a very dangerous weapon if It takes up absolute control of dairy produce to be exported after August let next. At th e very least, it Is held by many Intimately connected with the dairying industry, the Board should announce that compulsion shall not operate until the new system of election of the Board is agreed to. and Parliament has had opportunity of reconsidering the matter and a new board elected.” Another Critic. The same question was taken up editorially by the Wellington “Times” on Thursday. “Absolute control,” says the “Times,” "the Dairy Board has recently announced, must, and will, begin in August next. It Is an amazing announcement. The dangers of this course wer e pointed out at the outset of the Board’s career. Also the uncertainties. Time has sustained the case then outlined. The dangers and uncertainties have not passed away. Probably they are much worse. Yet the Board announces that absolute control must begin on the day appointed. Plainly, the Board is flying In the face of 'Providence. The matter is very serious. It involves the control of twenty millions' worth of produce. The financial requirement is tremendous, and there is no certainty of adequate financial arrangement, for an industry which needs monthly cheques, to keep it going.” Objectionable Fools. Concerning the aspect of creating such unwieldy pools the "Times” Is equally emphatic. "Add to this the certainty of pooling,” it says, "which is anathema to every producer who takes pains to turn out the best quality, and the legal uncertainty of th c controlling machinery provided by the Act. Add .also the danger of provoklnlg a huge hostile combine at the other end to a business certain to be harassed by a control necessarily imperfect by reason of unforeseen difficulties. In view of these additions, the rashness of enforcing absolute control becomes phenomenal. This control spells unsafety to th o producers of an export valued at twenty millions sterling. Nor Is this all for jhe hope of vastly increasing that great output Is strong in the heart of the dairy Interest. It is a hope shared by the whole Dominion, which has realised that its progress depends on the rapid increase of primary production. Recently the Prime Minister and a colleague have declared, at New Plymouth that absolute control is not advisable, concludes the writer. "Evidently they have realised the great unsafety of thc course on which the Board Is determined. Their own course, therefore, is obvious. Parliament meets before the day fixed for the beginning of absolute control. An amending bill can be passed before that day. New Zealand demands that such bill be introduced and passed to protect the great progressing dairy Industry from the rashness of a Board of Control which does not understand the plain facts of the case.” An Oversea Critic.

Tn a long article, the "Manchester Guardian" is also taking the New Zealand Dairy Board to task. "The powers under which the Control Board acts were conferred by the Dairy Produce Control Act passed by the Dominion Parliament last year,” says the. "Guardian." This Act .gives the Board absolute power to ship the produce "at such times and in such manner and on such terms as the Board In Its discretion may determine.” In the English markets there is already evidence as to how the Board will use Its discretion. The value of the produce which the Board will control Is estimated at about £20,000.000 a year. A similar organisation has been set, up in Australia, covering not only foodstuffs but wool. It is fair j to add, however, that in respect to I meat and wool the Control Board has I not exercised its powers in an arbi-l trary fashion such ns is now being exercised in the case of butter and cheese. As consumers in this country are painfully aware, the prices of butter and cheese have been very high for a long lime, and unless something Is done to stop the plana

of the New Zealand Control Board there is no likelihood that these commodities will become cheape.”