DAIRYING LEGISLATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21939, 24 October 1934, Page 10

DAIRYING LEGISLATION

PROCEDURE IN DOUBT MERIT OF RECOMMENDATIONS COALITION NOT UNANIMOUS [by: telegraph SPECIAL reporter] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The discovery that members were not unanimous in their opinions of the recommendations made by the Dairy Commission was made at to-day'a cauous of the Coalition Party. Accordingly another meeting is to be held at the earliest convenient opportunity to discuss again the commission's report. In the meantime, legislation arising out of the report, which has been in draft form for several days, will not be introduced in the House. The delay in reaching decisions to form the basis of legislation has had an unsettling effect as far as the proposed adjournment of the House next week is concerned. Some members take the view that the dairying legislation should have most careful consideration and that, if necessary, the House should continue to sit past the time originally anticipated. There is general agreement among both town and country representatives in the Coalition Party that the dairy farmers' plight calls for moist earnest thought, but while it is agreed that the problem has to be met, there is difference of opinion regarding the best solution. Some doubts are entertained whether the reconstitution of the Dairy Board and the appointment of the supreme executive of three members, which are understood to the principal features of the drafted legislation, will be of much immediate benefit in securing for dairy farmers an increased return for their output. It may be that the caucus, or a section of it, desires a more comprehensive measure to be placed before Parliament without the delay until early next year. That impression has certainly been given cm> rency in Parliament Buildings to-day. In the meantime., the Prime ter, Mr. Forbes, has nothing to gay beyond an intimation at the close of the caucus, which lasted over two hours, that another meeting would be held. The Cabinet Tield two meetings to-day to discuss the dairying legislation- TEe caucus will resume to-morrow morning. TIME FOB CONSIDERATION MR. C. J. PARLANE'S VIEWS [from OTJR OWN" correspondent] HAMILTON, Tueed&y 9 ;. Delay in bringing down legislation relating to the Dairy Commission's toport tuitil those interested in the industry had had an opportunity of considering the proposals was urged by : Mr. C. J. Parlane, general manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, in a statement made to-day. Mr. Parlane ssaid that if the whole of the recommendations were given effect to they would not raise : the price of butter-fat, which was the greatest need of" the industry at : present. ..... There was no reason to think, continued Mr. Parlane, that the setting up of a Council of Production and Trade, consisting of three members,, which was, apparently, to have supreme authority over the Dairy Board, confcjf prising eight members, four of whoa were. to be appointed by the Government, would be of any assistance inj? improving the position of the dairy farmer. Ih fact, through the channels mentioned, the secondary industries and other organisations whose interest! were not identical with those of the dairy farmer, might possibly obtain complete control of the dairy industry. Mr. Parlane said the Dairy Produce Board had arranged for its annual ward conferences to bo held throughout the Dominion, commencing on November 14, at InvercargilL, and as be had not the slightest doubt but that these conferences would be largely attended, he thought it would be only reasonable on the part of the Government to defer passing any legislation until the conferences had hind an opportunity of fully considering the proposals. ATTITUDE OF FARMERS DEFERRING LEGISLATION [by: telegraph—own corbesfondknt] "WAIMAUKU, Tuead&y There was an attendance of over 100 farmers from Helensville and surrounding districts at a meeting held at Woodhill to-night to consider the Dairy Commission's report. After considerable discussion a resolution was unanimously passed that as there was no immediate relief arising from the recommendations in the report the Government be asked to defer alb legislation arising from the report so as to give the dairy industry time to consider the commission's recommendations. The resolution was telegraphed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Coates, member for the district, and to Mr. M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition.