STANDARDISED CHEESE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20870, 12 May 1931, Page 12

STANDARDISED CHEESE.

' Sir, —I read with alarm the statement issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. A. J. Murdoch, on this subject, conveying a scarcely veiled threat that if the farmers do not reach unanimity and decide to forbid the manufacture of standardised cheese and the use of the brand "Cheddar" the Government will step in and forbid it! In the same statement conveying this threat he "says: "As I have already stated, it has been the established policy of the Government to regard the dairying industry as a business concern fully able to manage its own business affairs." Then what right has the Government to interfere in this matter at all? It is absolutely none of its business. If the farmers cannot come to a decision among themselves as to a policy in this matter, and any loss accrues, that is the farmers' loss, and they are not the body of men to come whining to anyone to make that loss good. I know no case where Government interference in business matters has done any good. I know many where it has resulted in incalculable injury and monetary loss. One of the slogans of the United Party was " more business in Government and less Government in business." I wish they would adhere to that and let business people manage their businesses without constant interference by Ministers, dictating to men who know far better than the Minister can tell them what is good for them and what is not. 231, Parnell Road. J. Thornes.