THE WARD SYSTEM

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12185, 9 July 1925, Page 9

THE WARD SYSTEM

DA f ~Y PRODUCE BOARD ELECTION REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTER. That a ward system on a tonnage basis of electing members of the Dairy Produce Export Control Board should be introduced, was urged upon Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. W. Nosworthy, by an influential deputation yesterday aiternoon. . _ , . The deputation was introduced by Mr J. D. Corrigan, M.P., and consisted oi members of a special sub-committee ap* pointed by the Dairy Council to consider the matter and representatives of extensive producing interests. Approximately 35 per cent, of the Dominion's exportable surplus of dairy produce on a butter-fat basis, was represented by the deputation. , , . Mr Corrigan explained that the Dairy Council had appointed a sub-committee in February last to consider the method of election and their report now made definite suggestions for legislation to improve matters satisfactorily to the producers. . The report of the committee provided ~<1) That the board should be elected by producers on an export tonnage basis only, the basis being one vote for every ton of butter and e v ery two tons ot cheese made in the season preceding an election; (2) that voting power dh exercised by the company through their directors or bv general meeting of producers; (3i that a dairy council be elected tri-annually, 20 from the North Island and ten from the South Island on the same ward basis as suggested for the Control Board; (4) that the functions of the Dairy Council be to receive reports from the Control Board, to deliberate on and disseminate information to the various companies throughout the dominion, and to deal generally with ana advise exporting companies on any matters pertainincr to their interest: and (5) that the wards he as follows, hut what these boundaries be reviewed and adjusted every two years on an export tonnage basis. . North Auckland ward, one member— Auckland to North Cape; Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Bins* Country ward, two members—rest of Auckland province. Taranaki and West Const ward, members—Taranaki province nnd Wellington province from Banffitibei River. Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and Manawatu, one member—Wellington province and Hawke’s Bay. , , Canterbury, kelson, Westland, and Marlborough, one member provinces concerned. Otago ward, one member—province. Southland ward, one member—province. ‘ , , This report was unanimously approved in’ever- clause with the one exception that Mr C. E. McMillan, M-P- (Tauranga), disagreed with the details ot the boundaries for the Auckland wards, holding that Bay of Plentv was entitled to a member. The committee was unanimous in condemning a ward system on the piesent method of election, bolding that it was unfair.