ANTI-CONTROL MOTION

Northern Advocate, 6 April 1927, Page 5

ANTI-CONTROL MOTION

A DIFFICULT MEETING

MEMBERS OF BOARD HEARD

PARTIAL REGULATION FAVOURED.

(Special to “Northern Advocate.”) NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day.

Over 300 dairy factory suppliers, who met at Hawera yesterday to discuss the present position in regard to the butter and cheese markets and the policy of the Dairy Control Board, passed the following resolution: “That this meeting of Taranaki dairy producers wishes to revert to pre-control conditions as far as the marketing of New Zealand dairy produce is concerned, being satisfied that the time function of the hoard should be restricted to the arrangements for shipping and the insurance covering the care of all New Zealand produce.” An amendment that control be completely abolished was defeated, as w r as another amendment: “That the Government be requested to repeal the provisions in the Dairy Produce Control Act relating to the compulsory control of dairy produce.”

The mooting was convened by thb Taranaki Co-operative Dairy Federation. Mr T. A. Winks (president) opened the meeting, hut suggested that as he rvas a member of the Dairy Control Board another chairman be appointed. Mr J. B. Murdoch was elected and, at times, he had a difficult task to maintain order. Two other Taranaki members of the board, Messrs J. R. Corrigan and H. D. Forsyth, were also present, and each addressed the meeting at the suggestion of the chairman.

Mr Forsyth said there had been two parties on the board —the moderates and the extremists, but he could say the moderates now had control and the producers could expect a more moderate, policy to be adopted. The eliminating of price-fixing had proved very popular in England with the people Who were handling our produce. He had not been in favour of all the board's policy, but the board was getting down to bedrock and had now got to a stage when it could start to build up, if it confined itself to arranging shipping and insurance contracts, and advertising, and with friendly co-operation on the other side much good work could he carried out. Mr Corrigan said his purpose had been to get a fair deal for the producer, “but people on the other side had shown plainly that they controlled the price of the goods and we do ■not.” He added “that- what Denmark had taken 129 years to achieve the board was expected to accomplish in 20 minutes. In adopting absolute control when it did the board had made one of the biggest blunders and walked straight into the trap that had been set for it. For over a year it would not make advance, however, and now it had to retreat. Nevertheless, there was plenty of good work that the board could do, but if the producers squashed an organisation that they had been trying for 20 years to get, they would never get another in their time.”

Mr Winks said that he had been opposed to price-fixation and the premium on cheese. A majority of the board was thoroughly satisfied that there was a system of boycotting in the Old Country and that steps were •necessary now to bring back trade. The wholesaler had not been taken into consideration at all, and when they fell out with liim, they fell out with the wrong man.

Tn moving the resolution, which was ultimately endorsed by the meeting, Mr Jacob Marx said the board had done a lot to redeem its position, but he felt it had not gone far enough. A 'majority of those who spoke were opposed to absolute control, while those who raised a voice in its favour were strongly criticised and alloAved no latitude at the expiration of their time 'limit.

On several occasions the chairman had difficulty in obtaining a hearing to his demands for order.

A large number of questions were put to the Control Board members until the chairman ruled that it was unfair to question individual members upon policy matters.

CANDIDATE NOMINATED,

FOR NO. 4 WARD,

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day.

At a meeting of anti-control alaiiy producers this afternoon it was decided to nominate Mr .lames Hine, of Tikorangi, as a candidate for No. 4 Ward for the Control Board election, The meeting was convened by the Free Marketing League.—Press Assn.