PUBLIC OPINION DAIRY CONTROL BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12250, 23 September 1925, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

DAIRY CONTROL BOARD

(To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —Kindly permit me through the medium of your columns to explain briefly to my fellow farmers the position at present existing in regard to the ward system of electing members of the Control Board. The question was fully discussed at the annual conference of the National Dairy Association held in Hawera during the Winter Show week, and a resolution advocating it was passed almost unanimously. The executive were instructed to approach the Government and urge the desirability cf amending the Control Act in order to secure the ward system of election. The instruction was duly honoured, and the wishes of the great number of dairy farmers who attended the N.D.A. conference were represented to the Minister for Agriculture, who admitted the justice of their claim. On July 9th, under the auspices of the New Zealand Producer*’ Free Marketing League, a large deputation representing both North and South Islands waited upon the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, and pointed out the urgent necessity for the immediate establishment of the ward system. The Prime Minister acknowledged the force of the reasons advanced in support of the suggested change, and stated the Minister for Agrioulture would inquire into the question, and it would receive due consideration. Mr Nosworthy expressed doubts about bringing the amendment before the House as at present constituted. Again, on September 2nd, representatives of several dairying associations waited Upon the Minister for Agrioulture and requested the creation of the single ward system. The Minister promised to give the matter every consideration, but said he wus not anxious to introduce legislation this session that might interfere with the Act now in existence. So far as Parliament, or rather, the Government, is concerned, the mat ter is apparently on the shelf at present. Two or three attempts by Opposition members to bring the question forward have been met by the Government on strictly party lines, and turned down. AVhy this reform, the justice of which is so obvious, should be held up by the powers that be is difficult t»> understand. With the exception of the Waikato oompany, practically every dairy company in the Dominion has asked for the ward system. The Farmers’ Union and other farming associations have passed resolutions in Support and in favour of it. What and where is the obstructing force P I have liigll authority for stating that the Liberal and Labour parties are in favour of the y mendmenl, and it is well known a great many members of the Reform Party, if not all, also approve of the ward system; therefore the Minister need have no fear of seouring an ampte majority for the desired amending Bill. Politicians from the Prime Minister downwards their resolve to have the government of the country conducted on patriotic and commonsense lines, with less of party bickering. We are told things are to be placed on a sound business basis, and yet time cannot be; found for thie small measure of justice and commonsense. If tbe opponents of the ward system (and there are not many) have convincing reasons for retaining the present system, they have never advanced them, and the whole agricultural community has a legitimate right to he given*tho real reason why the desired amending legislation is not brought forward. Failing the production of this information, no one oan be surprised if the idea grows that the real Government of this country is centred in the Waikato, and the real Premier is the Minister for Agrioulture.—l am. etc., GEORGE GIBSON. Rahetu, September 10th, 1925.