WORK OF DAIRY BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 13

WORK OF DAIRY BOARD

REPLY TO CRITICISM ADMINISTRATION COSTS EFFORTS TO DEVELOP MARKETS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] PALMEKSTON NORTH, Thursday Recent criticism of the operations of the Dairy Produce Board and its administration costs was answered by Mr. W. A. lorns, chairman of the board, who said in an interview to-day that during the last four years the board's costs had been reduced by 17 per cent, in spite of an increase of a similar percentage in the quantity of produce exported. The farmer had his produco shipped at a lower cost to-day per pound of butter and cheese than for the last 15 years. There was no doubt, said Mr. lorns, that last year the board expended £53,000, although it received only £41,000 from the levy, but most of that expenditure was non recurring. There was no indication that the board would require to increase the levy. If any increase were made it would be used solely for advertising overseas.

Referring to the development of markets, the chairman said that the board was up against tariff walls everywhere. In the East anolher difficulty was the lack of a direct shipping service. Moreover, the tariff imposed on Eastern products entering New Zealand militated against facilities for the regular interchange of cargo. The difficulty of securing suitable shipping facilities greatly hampered the board's activities in the Eastern market. However, if a direct service were started by the Osaka Maru Line, in which vessels would leave Auckland monthly, it was hoped that other industries would make use of the facilities to assist in building up a satisfactory freight to warrant a regular time-table. Concerning the markets of Canada and the United States, Mr. lorns said the efforts to cultivate these in past years had been countered by tariffs. It was not known whether any reciprocal agreement between Canada and New Zealand had been developed at Ottawa, but attempts had been made to open up a market in the Panama Canal zone. Some butter had been sent there, but the territory came within the scope of the United States customs regulations. Produce sent there for re-export to British Honduras and other Empire territory adjacent, and to the Latin States, could not escape these regulations.