DANGERS OF COMPULSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 28 October 1926, Page 4

DANGERS OF COMPULSION

UPON, more than one occasion we have expressed grave misgiving concerning the compulsory control of our primary products. It involves a serious departure from tin - main principles underlying the conduit of business or trade freedom of contract, open compel it ion, opportunity lor initiative. I liese and olliei relevant points are forcibly dealt with hv the seeretarv of the Welfare League

in an interview appearing in this issue of "The Mail.'' I'or the moment we will not, go further into the merits or demerits of compulsory emit ml. hi coni moil with the whole district, however, we are greatly concerned with the pns sidle olleet of the system upon nilr valuable fruit industry. The Fruit Control Board lias no doubt closely walebed the progress of events 111 the dairy industry since the Dairy Control Board rain'. - into existence and start erl to make its policy known. There has hern a serious slump in the market. The Board has denied that it had nlIcmpied or intended In attempt to fix prices. There is rnnllirt c,f evidence on licit point. Tin- slump in our butler I nil cs will be keeiilv tell. It mnv hr only a o incidence that it synchronised with the Board's eotiimenei nient of ar livi!i"s. 'l’lie fart remains. We would strongly urge ibe Fruit Control Board to ar| with caution. Before it decides on nnv definite line of policy for the future it should lake careful slock of th-' position. 1.0 lii closely study the ef feels of the Dairy Board's doings with ils compulsorily handled product'. The conmulsorv svstem is on ils trial. We shall not hr surprised if the trial results in a verdict of Guilty, followed hv the death sentence. Meanwhile the Kruil Ce.nl ml Board should await the result of (he trial and eoneenl rale its energies mien reasonable regulations, improved shipping arrangements and similar mat levs.