MINISTER OF MARKETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22428, 26 May 1936, Page 8

MINISTER OF MARKETING

If the determination of the Government to proceed with its guaranteed prices scheme has to be accepted—although there are grave doubts as to both principles and practice—then it can be admitted that the Prime Minister appears to have made a good choice in appointing Mr. .Nash to carry out the new plan. Mr. Nash is its author and legislative contriver. Better than anyone else he understands its principles and details, although it may be doubted whether he sufficiently realises the many practical difficulties to be overcome or the heavy responsibility he is undertaking in the control of an industry that annually nets £16,000,000 for exports alone. Even so, he has probably better qualifications for the Ministry of Marketing than any of his colleagues. He will have Mr. G. A. Duncan with him as actingDirector of Marketing and head of the new Primary Products Marketing Department. Mr. Duncan is at present a member of the Executive Commission of Agriculture and was widely known previously as an expert in the finance, management and administration of the dairy industry. The Commission itself is being retained to organise the department, and arrangements are being made to take over the staff of the Dairy Board. Hence* a valuable fund of knowledge and experience is to be at the disposal of the Minister and he will have full need of it. The function's of his department are to make all necessary arrangements for the acquisition of any primary products (dairy produce to begin with), the marketing at home or abroad of primary products, whether or not acquired by the Crown, and the making of freight contracts. The Minister must also largely determine the prices to be fixed from time to time. THe whole represents a vast and I hazardous experiment with a vital i industry.