NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which is incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920. BUTTER AND CHEESE CONTROL.

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1920, Page 2

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which is incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920. BUTTER AND CHEESE CONTROL.

Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper.

From woll-infovmed circles llie opinion has been expressed that the British Government proposes to control the butter and cheese output for the. next two years, and to be the sole importers of butter in the United Kingdom during that period. Quite naturally, the proposal is not viewed very favourably in all quarters, many dairymen in this country preferring to be left alone. It is declared that such Government control limits the price obtainable, and thereby prevents a full market price. Others equally affirm that the single control tends to obviate any danger of n falling market. Dairymen in the Xoith ami South Islands are at present having separate meetings to discuss the matter, after which a united gathering will be held in Wellington. it is very evident that the Imperial Government has found control generally beneficial, however much special sections of the public feel aggrieved. In a message received to-day the enormous amount of £118,353,802 is quoted as having been disbursed for New Zealand products up to the end of last year. This huge figure represents many and varied controls. The fact is significant, inasmuch as it indicates an undoubted tendency towards stability of prices, and the elimination of the many factors involved in ordinary competitive trade. The monopoly of the Government in any particular commodity has elements of econoniy, as well as market stability, that are truly astounding. A simple ease is on record whereby the British authorities saved three millions sterling by controlling the market in Indian jute. The senseless rivalry of all the allied governments by which a few commercial men were reaping fabulous profits, was thus ended at a strike, and the introduction i.f normal prices saved to the people the huge fortunes of the few. There can lie no question about the steady set of public opinion in the, direction nf some cheek being exorcised on the ability of a small number of people to make the be ly of necessary consumers pay e>:o;-'..i:aiii prices. It is quite true that if one continues to accept the economic doctrine of freedom to buy in the cheapest and sell in the dearest markets, then government inter-

directions, such a dictum of economic.* has been undermined and declared untenable. Broadly speaking, the general tenor of present political, commercial, and industrial opinion is all towards the imposition of another axiom that declares the old altitude null and void. It is less expressed than implied. It is that uo enactment has any righi 1o

continue in existence if it savours of class sellislmess. The full force of

such a growing conviction is not. yet

seen, but there are ninny signs of its

ad vein. The "proliteer" is, economically, the nuin who merely applies Ihe old-time policy of complete freedom in commerce, to its logical conclusion; but modern ethical standards place him in the category of the criminal. The suggested Government control of butter and cheese is simply one expression of the newer recognition of duty to protect the majority. The world has not developed to the full conviction of State ownership, and it will appear as though undiluted Government control is not popular. Yet it is felt that a measure of check must be adopted to prevent the beneficial eil'ects of sec-

tional iuteresls running past ihe point of communal benefit. The tight hand of the Government should be used in protection not exploitation; and should such grip prove advantageous to the vast majority concerned, it has received

its authority for continuance