A POSER FOR MR. NASH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22966, 18 February 1938, Page 8

A POSER FOR MR. NASH

Mr. Nash's assurance that, if the dairy industry desired to have an independent tribunal set up to fix the guaranteed price, he would discuss the matter with Cabinet, has been promptly taken up by the ward conference of the Dairy Board. Its special committee has with a minimum of delay recommended that such a tribunal be appointed on the model of the Arbitration Court. That was to be expected because producers' organisations, from the Dominion Farmers' Union conference downward, have favoured this fairer course as against the present method of a price dictated by the buyer. Hence Mr. Nash will have to make good his assurance which, however, amounts to no more than a promise to' discuss the matter with Cabinet. Whether anything will ever issue from that discussion is an intriguing question, for the reason that the dairy farmers' special committee, not content with recommending a tribunal, has proceeded to suggest the considerations the tribunal should take into account in fixing the price. The four considerations named are identical with those set out in the definition of the compensatory price. These, it need scarcely be pointed out, are very different from the seven considerations incorporated by Mr. Nash in the Primary Products Marketing Act. Apparently the farmers were not convinced by Mr. Nash's dialectics at Hamilton in defence of the Act and of its administration by him. They still want their version of a fair price and have now placed the compensatory principle fairly and squarely before the Minister. It is up to Mr. Nash. His rejoinder, if any, will be heard with interest.