DAIRY POOL SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18198, 18 September 1922, Page 8

DAIRY POOL SCHEME.

AIMS OF THE COMMITTEE. ECONOMY IN MARKETING. STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN. Matters relating to the proposed dairy pool were'discussed yesterday by Mr. WGrounds, of Hokianga, who attended the conference held last week at- Wellington to consider' proposals for the marketing of dairy produce. A resolution was carried requesting the Government to pass legislation for the control of exportable dairy produce on the lines of the Meat Control Act. A committee representing the dairying interests of the Dominion was appointed to promote the scheme, Mr. Grounds being elected chairman. Replying to a question as to what effect the proposed pool would have on the industry, Mr. Grounds said there was a feeling of satislaction throughout the dairy industry as a result of the conference. The committee appointed in Wellington in May, and re-commissioned iiy the National Dairy Associations conference at I'almerston in June, having fully considered the various suggested marketing schemes, pr.oposed that legislation should bo sought to secure a Dairy Export Control Act. The proposal was passed by an overwhelming majority and a committee was appointed consisting of 30 members, 20 from the North Island and ten from the South Island, this committee was elected en a provincial and sub-provincial basis, so that all phases of the industry, including proprietary interests, were represented. "It is proposed,'' added Mr. Grounds, "that this committee shall be a permanent dairy council elected annually on the provincial and sub-provincial basis, harmonised as far as possible with district output. The council will elect the control board of nine members, six from the North Island and three from the South Island. It is felt that this permanent council is a valuable departure from previous proposals, the board being thus ablo to report back to the council any development of interest, and so keep in "living touch with the industry." Tho control board, ho said, would select a London board probably consisting of a butter expert, a cheese expert, and a manager, who under the policy defined by the New Zea and board would control the distribution of produce. The t'rime Minister and Minister for Agri culture had been interviewed, and the full proposals ol the council will be submi tied to then:; shortly. "Some confusion of thought appears U exist Regarding the aims of the industry,' continued Mr. Giounds. "This possibly is intensified by the propaganda of those who are interested in the retention ol the present methods, which propaganda will doubtless be kept alive while there is a hope of retaining present methods. To state the position plain y, the proposal applies on'y to export' dairy produce, and has no application to local markets. It is no part of the proposal to alienate those who legitimately serve •he industry or to divert our produce from any channel that efficiently servesAll are agreed, however, that there arc "any leakages let ween the prodrcer and the consumer, which amount in the ag'restate to a very large sum. This must oe saved for l'ie producer, and in it£ wide diptrihtuticn promote national prosperity thiou-h he multitude rather than Hnft into the pockets of a few."