OFF TO ENGLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12168, 19 June 1925, Page 3

OFF TO ENGLAND

DAIRY BOARD DELEGATES CHAIRMAN OUTLINES POLICY DICTATION NOT CONTEMPLATED. The members of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Export Board who have been appointed to represent the hoard in London. Messrs W. C. Motion and W. A, lorns. were tendered a farewell dinner at the Empire Hotel by their colleagues on the board. Amongst those present were the Hon. IV. Nosworthy, Minister for Agriculture; the Hon. A. D. McLeod; Minister for Lands; Dr C. J. Reakes. Director of Agriculture; and representatives of the associated hanks, shipping companies, insurance companies, and the Meat Board.

In proposing the toast of the guests of the evening, Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the hoard, said that he would like to emphasise the fact that the soul of the control movement lay in the dire need that existed for superior marketing methods to be evolved to take care of the tremendous increase in production that had been associated with the industrv in the last dozen years. The countrv should realise the vital importance and imperative necessity of the work about to be undertaken -by the Dairy Board. The exports of butter had increased 360 per cent, in the last twelve years, and cheese 230 per cent. This increase made it necessary to provide satisfactory arrangements for the disposition of further developments in production. One phase of the work was to be undertaken by their guests of that evening. Investigation had been made on behalf of ihe.boai-d by “three miisketeers,” < f whom one of their guests had been one, amongst the tailors of Tooley street, who. as they would probably remember, were the “people” of England. Their delegates were fully convinced of the possibility of realising the hoard’s policy Tho hoard desired to co-operat, with the interests associated with the distributive trade, so as to extend the sphere of activities to the best possible advantage. It had been suggested in some quarters that the board’s policy was one of dictation, and was likeIv to provoke retaliation from the merchants themselves. As a matter of fact the board did not con. template, and had not contemolai- . «d. any policy of dictation, and as a conseauence there was no prospect of a policy of retaliation. FINDING MARKETS They proposed to work in conjunction with, and based upon the experiences of the distributors at Home, to extend the active interests associated with the business. They knew by thetr past investigations that there wore firms at Home, prominently connected with the distribution of dairy, produce, who were anxious to have the opportunity iotf distributing New Zealand produce, but they had never yet been able to secure a Quantity of it. The board was therefore convinced that the delegation could arrange for the distribution of the increasing production of the Dominion by co-operating with Bbme interests.

One vital factor governing the whole position was that they, must be able to find a market that would recompense the producer adequately for the labour put into the industry. There were many other aspects of the hoard’s work that would have to he undertaken, such as checking the qualitv, and the maintenance of that high quality right through to the consumer, hut they were convinced, as a result of their experience at the Exhibition and in England generally, that an awakened interest was to he observed in colonial production. They wanted their representatives to make it quite clear to the British consumer that there wax no thought in the minds of the hoard here to organise to hold up any produce in a way comparable to the operations of a trust. Thev believed that the work of the hoard would facilitate the regularised delivery of the produce to the people of England, and as they eliminated elements of speculation that had characterised the trade for so many years, an advantage would accrue to the consumer as well as to the producer. .The task confronting the delegation was a responsible one. and it could ho seen that the soul of the whole movement was of vital importance to everybody in New Zealand, whether they-were producers or engaged in commercial interests or even in industrial interests, because the success of the whole country depended upon the wellbeing of the primary producer. “SOUND BUSINESS” In replying, Mr Motion said that they appreciated very much the farewell that evening, and the outline of the duties confronting the delegation. They realisod that the undertaking would be viewed with considerable interest not only by the people of, the Dominion, but by the interests at the other end of the world, and they were well aware of the fact that their actions would be well scrutinised and criticised, and commented on favourably and unfavourably, hut so far as commonsense and tact were concerned, they would do their very best to face the position and improve the course of marketing for New Zealand produce. Some of the reforms proposed had been described “socialistic” and “communistic,” but life failed to see Uie justice of the description. Would any section of business men living in the city consider it good business for produce or manufactures created • or handled by themselves, woith £18,000,000 to £20,000,000, to be sent to a market without some organisation at the other end to look after it? If that were done the business men would be thought mad. The producers were really copying the organisation of sound business men when they determined to create an organisation to look after the lrnirketing of their own produce. Mr lorns also briefly acknowledged the toast, and expressed his determination to work ir. the best interests of the industry and New Zealand as a whole. greatest good for all CLASSES The Hon. W. Nosworthy, in replying to the toast of the Department of Agriculture, expressed his appreciation at being present at that gathering, where representatives of primary producers were associated with commercial and mercantile interests. After paying a tribute to the loyalty and service of the Agricultural Department since he took control in 1910, Mr Nosworthv stated that the inception of boards to guard the interests of different hodies of producers, lias been guided by a desire solely for the consolidation rf tboir interests and their os* r’divl. 'w, t t u ,| np-to-date busii ness lines. In fostering those

boards, he had had solely before him the greatest good of all classes ot people, including the commercial interests and tlie mercantile interests of the Dominion, because their future prosperity depended upon the ultimateI welfare and prosperity of the primary i producer. In helping the primary producer to achieve success, the departjment of Agriculture had attained a i standard of efficiency, which he could say without boasting, was ahead of ] similar departments in Britain, Canada, and the United States. He had no doubt regarding the future- success of the Meat the Dairy Board, and the other boards. He was prepared to trust the people in each industry to carry on their own functions with credit to themselves and success to- the country, and he believed that that tnist would be justified in future years, and a standard ot prosperity attained at present undreamed of. A LACK OF INTEREST In replying to the toast of Parliament, the Hon. A. D. McLeod said it was certainly true that Parliament had its eyes upon the Daily Board. Parliament had given it very important powers—powers which affected the success of approximately 40 per cent, ot the country’s total export. If that success was not achieved regarding that 40 per cent, of the country’s export, then Parliament would be closely concerned, and would be directly responsible to the people of the country for the position. That he had not any doubt as to tile ability of the boards to render good service to their industries, was evidenced by the position which lie had taken up in connection with control legislation in this country. One point that he regretted, however, was the comparatively small interest displayed by some sections in their own business. He was sorry to notice that in the Dairy Board election, approximately from one-quarter to one-third of the farmers voted. The same tendency was displayed in political matters—noticeably iii the New South Wales elections —and consequently he thought that democracy was on its trial.

Mr T. Duncan, responding on behalf of kindred institutions, outlined the work of the Meat Board in the regulating of shipments from this country, and said the two boards should work closely in harmony because in the prices of their produce they held the financial stability and success of the country. From that point of view they were the trusters lor the future prosperity of the Dominion. Mr P. H. Cox. chairman of the Associated Banks, emphasised the magnitude of the task confronting the Control Board, and its importance from the country’s point of view in securing that ,-Neiv Zealand produce should be sold as far as possible throughout Britain under the name “New Zealand.” He had been informed from a very reliable source that during the war, a great deal of New Zealand butter had been sold to Irish dealers from merchants at 3s per lb., taken to Cork, reworked, and sold back to England as the best Irish at 5s 6d per lb. Manoeuvres of that oature had resulted in the position that today it was difficult to make individual purchases of New Zealand produce throughout Britain. _ , . Mr James Findlay and Mr Robert Canghley responded on behalf ot the shipping and insurance interests. Mr Cauglilev humourously commented that if the board was as successful in its negotiations with others as it had been in extracting the last possible penny 1 from the insurance, company ]£ operations should be highly satisfactory to the producers.