AGRICULTURAL BILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 November 1934, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL BILL

WARD CONFERENCE AT GREYMOUTH FARMERS APPOINT DELEGATE A conference of West Coast dairy producers was held hi Greymouth, Mr C. P. Agar, of Christchurch, a member of the New Zealand Dairy Control Board for tire northern ward district (South Island), presiding over a small attendance (reports the “Press’ ). On declaring the ward conference open, Mr Agar explained the procedure, stating that the meeting was convened to test the local feeling and viewpoint towards matters affecting the industry, and then to elect a delegate or delegates to- form part of the Dominion conference at which the board’s annual report will be submitted for consideration.

“Ward conferences should be free from any recommendations from Llio Dairy Board,” said Mr Agar, “and should be kept perfectly clear of what may be termed ‘dairy politics,’ if they are to serve any useful purpose to the industry. If is by a free and unfetter examination of the affairs of the industry by the directors of dairy companies and suppliers that wo gaiii the industry’s real viewpoint, and therefore as a ward representative on the Dairy Board I shall not endeavour to influence the decisions of this conference, but shall content myself with stating the events of moment which have occurred since our last meetings. Mr Agar outlined the Dairy Commission's recommendations, and said that whether the quality of New Zealand’s dairy produce was improved or remained as at present, he felt convinced that as long as New Zealand sent forward the quantities it did, and other countries continued to do likewise, then the price would still he determined by the quantities to be marketed, and would not be substantially affected by any improvement in quality. “Admittedly we desire to displace Danish butter in the Midlands and the Northern Counties ol England- its present, stronghold —said Mi Agai, “but my personal belief is that our present quality is sufficiently high to do this if we are able to overcome the prejudice, which undoubtedly exists m these countries in favour ot the Danish article.” , „ . There were proposals for the improvement of tlie financial position of dairy farmers, said Mr Agar, but these were submitted in a- tentative form only, and were not sufficiently far advanced to be -Seriously considered. Ihe question o herd testing and dairy farm instruction were minor matters as related to the major proposals, but he was sure tha the Dominion conference would appreciate an expression of opinion from West Coast farmers on these matters. Mr lY O’Regan, Inangaliua. Landing, was appointed delegate for the West Coast to attend the wards conference to be held at Wellington.