Independent Price Tribunal Urged

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 44, 22 February 1938, Page 3

Independent Price Tribunal Urged

ATTITUDE OF THE MINISTER WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. An assurance that if the dairy industry desired to have an independent tribunal set up to fix the guaranteed price he would discuss the matter with the Cabinet was given by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, when opening the ward conference of the New Zealand Dairy Board on Wednesday. The conference subsequently discussed a remit suggesting that the fixing of the price of dairy produce should be arrived at by a tribunal presided over by a Supreme Court Judge, and that such tribunal comprise an equal number of appointees from the Government as purchased aud the dairy farmers as sellers. It was decided to refer the whole question to a special committee. The Minister said the Government was not wedded to the present procedure, although he still thought it was the best for the industry. However, if there was a feeling that an independent form of tribunal would be better, he would be glad to have the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal weighed by the Cabinet. Equal Representation In moving the remit, Mr S. W. Smith (northern ward), said it was desired to institute a system under which producers would have some saj 1 in the fixing of the guaranteed price. Every other section of the community had the right to equal representation with employers before tribunals, such as the Arbitration Court, and the dairying industry would be lacking in independence if it did not ask for the same right. The remit was seconded by Mr J. W. Hoskin (northern ward), who said the proposed tribunal would give tho dairy farmers a fair deal, which was all that they wanted. It would be most satisfactory to the dairy companies and all others concerned. It was pointed out that the remit made no reference to what should be done about increased costs after the price was fixed. Other speakers urged that the conference should first endorse the princi pie of a tribunal before determining the procedure and personnel. Only Fair Way “The farmers will never be satisfied unless they have a say in fixing th& price,” said Mr F. O. R. Phillips (New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company). "This is the only fair way of doing it.” Mr W. N. Perry (northern ward) said his view was that even if there was a tribuual the Government would not accept its recommendations, but would still retain the final say in determining the price. Mr C. P, Agar (southern ward) pointed out that the findings of the price investigation committee were confidential to the Government and the Minister had the sole power in fixing the price. If the remit was carried it would be necessary for the Government to lay down a formula under which the tribunal would arrive at a price as a recommendation to tho Government. Only when the industry knew the formula would it be in a position to know whether the price was going to meet tho rising tide of costs or not. Choice of Members. Mr D. G. Begley (central ward) said the remit did not say what authority would be responsible for the appointment of the industry’s representatives. He moved, and it was seconded, that a committee be set up to consider every phase of the question. Mr J. H. Sunderland (northern ward) moved as an amendment an addition to the remit setting out that the producers’ representatives should be chosen by the Dairy Board, which would obtain from all sections of the industry essential data for use by those representatives. The chairman, Mr A. J. Murdock, said Mr Nash had assured the Dairy Board that he looked upon it as the head of the industry. “So do we an& so we are,” he added. “You take no risk in nominating the board as a body to determine your representatives.” The amendment was withdrawn and the motion carried unanimously. A remit asking that the findings of the price investigation committee should be published was carried.