MR MURDOCH AT OHAEAWAI

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1936, Page 4

MR MURDOCH AT OHAEAWAI

YEAR’S TRIAL FOR GUARANTEED PRICES [Special to “Northern Advocate.’*! KAIKOHE, This Day. “Since the efforts of the Government to develop this scheme,” said Mr A. J. Murdoch, chairman of the Dairy Board, at Ohaeawai yesterday, “there has been agitation against the .‘collaring’ of the produce of the producers. The producers have indicated that they want a set price. It is only fair that they should have their produce handled to get it.” “Our concern is whether the scheme will go successfully. A year’s trial is required. We are all in it now. Give it every assistance,” he advised. He warned farmers against broadcasting propaganda agaifist the scheme in New Zealand.

“Every piece of information originating in New Zealand, which speaks ill of the scheme, is wafted overseas, and goes against good marketing. If you cannot speak well of it, don’t, speak ill of it.” Mr Murdoch said that the dairy board, at one time, had had its own local and group marketing schemes. However they went by the board, because Mr Nash had said that they would go against his own schemes. Mr Murdoch stated that certain factories would have to be set aside to supply the local market only when the guaranteed price was brought in. Transport to Grading Stores.

“Does the Government intend taking over our produce at the factory and taking it to Auckland to the grading store by rail only?” a supplier asked' Mr Murdoch.

“You are getting on to a policy matter there,” was the reply. “You'have heard what Mr Semple has said.” Mr Murdoch’ said that Mr Nash did not intend- to interfere with any arrangements used by the dairy companies before the guaranteed price, insofar as transport to the grading store wds concerned. The Government would not take the butter over until it reached the grading store. The Dairy Board Levy.

“The position of the dairy board’s revenue of £BO,OOO which does not go to the Marketing Department will go to advertising,” said Mr Murdoch in' answer to Mr E. Dixon. He added that the cost of advertising Ne\v Zealand butter ph the Continent and in England had been very great. Records, such as films had been taken, and these would be shown in New Zealand shortly. There was a possibility, he said, of New Zealand butter being made into pats by the Government when it reached England. Zoning.

Mr J. Doel wanted to know when the dairy board was going to do something about the zoning of the overlapping factory territories. “There has been no legal power by which we could alter any route or th.e number of suppliers to a factory in the past,” said Mr Murdoch. “We hope to have that power soon. I can assure you that these regulations will be Gazetted and the factories. notified as soon as possible.” “Prospects appear brighter this year with butter at a shilling,” he concluded. “The dStfy' board is the mouth-piece of the Minister, and I appeal to all farmers to bring matters of interest to the board’s notice.”