NEW DAIRY BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21935, 19 October 1934, Page 13

NEW DAIRY BOARD

REPLACING PRESENT BODY LOCAL CONTROL PROPOSED QUANTITIES AND QUALITY [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday The Dairy Commission claims that the main defect in the constitution of the present Dairy Produce Control Board is the lack of power in regard to internal administration and it charges that this has led to uncertainty in policy, to wasted effort and to want of co-ordination of production and marketing activities. It recommends the replacement of the present board of 12 members —two Government representatives, nine producers' representatives and one merchant representative—by a board of eight members, four elected by the industry and four appointed by the Government, which will appoint the first chairman. The report states:—"There is ample evidence that the present board cannot work in a truly co-operative manner, because of the existence of sectional and divergent interests within the board, and recent discussions on important questions of policy have resulted in decisions clearly showing its divided nature. There have also been occasions when the Government has sought a lead from the board on questions of particular moment to the dairy industry and to the Dominion. On these occasions the board has been so divided in opinion that it has been quite unable to give any helpful indication or lead to the Government. It is unlikely that the necessary confidence of the industry, the Government, and the public will be accorded to a board in which dissension plays so prominent a part." Wider Powers Proposed It is recommended that the new board be given wider powers, embracing control of volume and quality of production, processing and manufacture of produce and control of local as well as export marketing. Additional powers and functions are recommended as follows: — "To have control of the production of milk and cream and processing and manufacture to ensure a high standard and a suitable type for the markets in which the board is operating. That farm dairy instruction be on the block system on a. Dominion-wide basis and that farm and factory instructors be given the authority of inspectors. These officers to enforce standards and to check the grading and testing of milk and cream and the grading at factories of butter and cheese for local consumption. "To have control of the transport to and storage of produce at grading ports. The actual grading to remain ,a function of the State, but the fixing of standards of grading to be discussed from time to time. . "To have as full power in respect ol butter and cheese marketed locally as in export marketing. "To effect economies and improve administration by (a) minimising overlapping in collection of milk and cream, by zoning suppliers and defining collection routes and arranging contracts; (b) making contracts with transport authorities; (c) arranging for and effecting amalgamation of dairy factories, closing of uneconomic factories and fixing terms and conditions where necessary; (d) empowering the board to examine the accounts of companies, which will be standardised. Grants lor Research Work "To make grants for research work, to take measures to improve the efficiency of labour in factories for the welfare of workers and to subsidise companies where factories and equipment are required for instructional or experimental purposes. "To control the volume and class of produce required from any company. "To take measures to eradicate stock diseases. "To make special levies at grading ports and to distribute the amounts in accordance with grading points allotted to factories. "To have power to purchase and sell raw or manufactured produce and to subsidise any attempts to organise markets." The report makes provision for setting up four wards for electing board members, a separate ward being allotted to the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited. The present method of election by means of combining the votes of individual suppliers with the tonnage weighting of the factories they supply is considered inequitable and the commission recommends a svstom of giving voting-power to directorates of companies with adjustment according to tonnage.