DAIRYMEN'S PARLIAMENT

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1931, Page 10

DAIRYMEN'S PARLIAMENT

COMING CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT FEATURES. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. The- statement of the Minister of Agriculture in i-oniii ction with the decision arrived at by the rci-ent assembly of dairy interests in Wellington, Is being freely criticised in Taranaki. The Mnistcr, the Hon. S. G. Smith, speaking at a gathering of the show visitors, considered that the coming conference of the National Dairy Association would he one of the most important in the history oT the industry. He was aware as a Minister of the decisions arrived at, and could say that they would be placed before the conference as recommendations for confirmation.

The view that the conference will

discuss most important matters is considered to be correct, but the objection to the attitude of the Minister of Agriculture is that delegates at the conference will have no opportunity of securing previous instructions concerning the matters to be revealed, which circumstance is considered likely to militate against a clean-cut decision.

There are statements in circulation that drastic alterations in the constitution of the Dairy Produce Board are contemplated, while oilier statements being made are to the effect that a change is to be sought in the method of payment for milk supplied for cheese-making. The National Dairy Conference will commence on June 24, and many remits have been forwarded, a large number of them having reference to the activities and constitution of the Dairy Control Board, which, will be a storm centre of discussion, and which, it seems, will need to fight for its very existence so far as the decision of the National Dairy Conference can affect it. i Par-reaching Remits. One ‘Of the most interesting remits ha_s been forwarded by the Nguere (Taranaki) Dairy Company: “That the industry revert to the manufacture of full-cream cheese only, and that the export of cheese made from milk from which any portion of butterfat has been extracted, be prohibited, and that in the interests of the dairy industry the w r axing of cheese be abolished. ’ ’ The Morrinsville Company proposes to ask the conference to urge the Government to conclude an agreement with Canada providing for the “easy entry” of New Zealand dairy produce into Canada.

The same company also suggests that the Empire Marketing Board be thanked for assisting sales and granting funds for research. The remit is likely to secure general support, but it is considered that the attitude of Canada may be another matter. . A far-reaching recommendation to be moved by the Blenheim Company is that of urging - the Government to cease paying 51 per cent, for local money, and to reduce the rate of interest to 41 per cent, the object being “to cheapen capital required for farming and industrial pursuits.” The same company urges that the personnel of the Produce Board be reduced to six members, four in the North and two in the South, and that the Government nominees of the board •be dispensed with, together with the merchant representative. Crucial Test. : A clean-cut issue as to whether the •Dairy Produce Board is to live or die will doubtless be tried, the Tui Co-op. Company proposing to move: “That a vote of producers be taken as to whether they favour the retention of the disbanding of the Dairy Produce Board.”

Discussion, in the general view of members of the National Dairy Association Conference, is required of proceedings at the annual meeting of the Dairy Board each year, in view of the fact that “the board possesses power to collect a levy on dairy produce exports. ■ ’

That view is expressed by the Kairanga Company, which suggests that the annal meetings of the board and of the National Dairy Association be held in conjunction. The widely circulated remits of the Mangatoki (Tarankai) Co-op. Dairy Company press for the constitution of an authoritative head responsible for the co-ordination of the new scattered Clements of the industry. These rejnits suggest that the Dairy Board be constituted the head administrative body of the industry, witn powers to guide and control in all matters relating to both internal and external policy.