DAIRY INDUSTRY’S FUTURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 4 August 1945, Page 3

DAIRY INDUSTRY’S FUTURE

PLANNING FOR PEACE Wellington, Aug. 3. “VYe no longer have to plan only for war conditions. .The time has come when we must plSn for an enduring peace,” said the chairman, Mr. W. E. Hale, at the 13th Dominion Dairy Conference iu Wellington, yesterday. "This conference will in future be regarded as one of the turning points in the history of the dairy industry. If our hopes are justified, it will determine the post-war policy of the industry, and, we hope, build a solid framework for the future. . . . “The food shortages that have been experienced in every country in the world as a result of the war have forced Governments at long last realize the key position that agricultujfc holds, not only within countries, but is a major factor in world peace. The outlook on agriculture is changing, and many countries have reached the conclusion that longterm planning and security for producers is essential. We must not overlook these world movements, and in planning for the future must see that we have security both in production and in marketing. The producers who want this security recognize the need for co-opera-tion between the State and themselves, but they want their security free from political control. In other words, any new policy should come from the industry itself, and not from politicians. . . . “I am going to give some credit , to the present Government lor the guaranteed price scheme, for it has taught the industry a lot; and I think from that experience we can formulate a scheme which should be more satisfactory to the producer, and which will combine all of the advantages of the guaranteed price scheme. Under today’s economic conditions, brought about as a result of Government policy, we are entitled to ask that the State should carry some of the financial responsibility. If we do not take some active part in formulating policy and put forward some ideas, we are going to drift, carry the load, and put up with whatever any Government in power decides. “During the last few years the industry has been drifting, and year by year the position gets a little wofse. Producers are content to blame the board and the Government and not take any blame themselves for what is happening under today’s system. They are getting into the habit of just passing the buck ; but if they were carrying responsibility they would be looking at the whole position from the factual side. The trouble is that dairy industry policy has become political from every aspect, and under such conditions this industry will never progress. For these reasons this conference must determine the policy to be followed by the industry in the years ahead.” The conference would also consider a comprehensive report on local marketing, the recommendations of which had been unanimously endorsed by the Dairy Industry Council. “There ig one question connected with local marketing on which we have not been able to reach agreement with the Government—namely, whether the industry should continue to subsidize the consumer of butter and cheese in this country,” said Mr. Hale. “That matter is now the subject of arbitration and cannot be discussed meantime.” Another question that had given the industry cause for concern was the housing of dairy factory employees. A report would be presented from the New Zealand Dairy Factory Industrial Union of Employers. It showed that the industry needed a total of 456 additional houses at present to provide adequate accommodation for its employees, and it made recommendations as to how they could be secured.