DAIRY CONTROL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19011, 6 November 1923, Page 10

DAIRY CONTROL BOARD

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have the honour to be a member of the Dominion Dairy Council, and, while passing through on the express recently, I read the letter from Air John Macaulay in your paper. For AL Macaulay’s information I say (hat the three men put forward for the ] South Island ticket were not selected by the North Island representatives. The South Island delegates selected their own. Wo put forward Messrs Fisher, Waite, and Thacker because they arc easily the strongest combination available. In fact, these three gentlemen were the only ones nominated, and have the hearty approval of the council, and were also heartily approved by the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. It is not to bo expected that the opponents of “control” should unceasingly praise these candidates. For these three have worked hard to get the measure made law, while the opponents of control have worked against it—and lost. The Dairy Fanners’ Union, though mu satisfied with the nominations from ivcllington and Taranaki, has been good enough to say (hat it approves of the Auckland nominees, and is entirely satisfied with the three selected for the South Island. Surely when the Dairy Council, the Farmers Union, and the Dairy Farmers’ Union alt agree, there cannot be anything valid in the objection to the ’South Island “ticket.’ We of the council, who have met all tile leaders of industry during the past year, , are entirely satisfied that Messrs Fisher, AVaite. and Thacker are not only capable men, (unlike some others in Otago and Southland) are absolutely loyal to the cooperative cause, and can be trusted to carry out their duties in a fearless ami impartial manner. • But where does the organised opposition to "controi” come from? Those ol us who have been cuuirmen of dairy factories know quite well. The honest mercantile houses of Tooley Street do not fear the Control Act. As Sir Thomas Clemen, wrote recently: “We are not worying about control; it may bo good for you and good lor ns. All we want is to handle your produce." That is the opinion of a man who knows what he is talking about. due niany.sof the local agents of London houses have “the wind up.” And it is for these people that the opponents of control are so solicitous. Those numerous agents travel round the country and endeavour to secure butler and cheese which thej have shipped to their principals at Home. For this service they receive g per cent, or 1 per cent, on the turnover. And this is verv good pay. In the case of one man in Taranaki it amounted to £BCOO a year. It is quite possible that these gentlemen pirked up something in tho neighbourhood of £80.090 in commissions during the last season. It is quite understandable then that these courteous canvassers, whose, duty it is to tickle becomingly the vanity ol dairy factory directors, are using innorent—peritaps interested —dairy farmers, who pose as high-souled co-operative loaders, but are really the mouthpieces of those local agents who collect these big commissions. That is the position to-day: the dairy farmer wants control; the Tooley Street merchant, does not mind it; hut the local buying agent sees in it a subtle plot to do without him. This is where 90 per cent, of the opposition to control comes in. Some dissatisfaction comes from those “leaders” who have “missed the bus.” But surely those who have fought any form ot control, and those others who have been sitting on the rail are not worth considering when this important matter is at stake. -I am. etc., T. R. Fades. Edcndalc. Southland. November 3. Sir. —Dairy farmers are greatly interested in all that pertains to control of their,produce and hv the recent decisive vote in favour of the Dairv Produce Export Act are determined to have some reform carried out in the industry. Dairy farmers realise that only hy combining together can they hope to battle against the combination arrayed against them. But those who are interested in onnesing control by tbe dairy farmers themselves never seem to be satisfied. First, (he two dairv associations decided by overwhelming majorities that dairy factories were in favour of control by the producers. Then Parliament considered the matter. After all the pressure that could b© brought against the measure by Chambers of Commerce and other vested interests. Parliament, by an overwhelming majority, affirmed the principle; The oa«e was then submitted to a. vote of the individual suppliers. Again there was an overwhelming vote in favour of control by the producers. Now that the fight is won we find that those who have been- battling against the measure are coming along and demanding a seat on tbe board. Many, also, who have been sitting “on the rail” are now posing as the friends of the dairy farmers. But farmers are intelligent enough to see who their real friends are. We may be sure that the Dairy Council, acting in conjunction with the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, would not put their hall-mark on any but the very best representatives. The fight has been on for two years now, and everybody interested has learned that some so-called leaders are to be trusted and others are not. Because thev have proved themselves loyal to their fel-low-dairy farmers, Alessrs Thacker (Canterbury), Waite (Otago), and Fisher (Southland) have been nominated by the Dominion Dairy Council and the nomination has been approved by the Farmers’ Union. They are all dairy factory directors and men with the courage of their convictions. Wtih all respect to Air John Macaulay, these throe are generally admitted to bo fully representative of the dairy industry in the South Island; but it cannot be hoped that they will be approved by Air Alacattlay, who is known to be opposed to control by the producers.—l am, etc., A. Brown. Alosgiel. Sir, —When Air Waite and his friends were asking tho dairv farmers to support the Dairy Produce Export Act they promised to bring forward proved sound successful business men as candidates from whom the producers were to elect ttye board. What has happened? About a dozen or more men sitting around a table in AVellingtcn. representing themselves, appoint themselves as candidates and tell (ho producers to vete them in. Will Air Waite tell the producers what business he has managed successfully ? Air W. Lee. of Goodwood, is a farmer with a life’s experience, lie has proved himself a sound, successful man in business and in farming. Why not ask him to become a candidate?—l am. etc., Economy. Wailafi, November 4. [While we publish the above .three letters, we are not prepared to allow our columns to be used for the purpose of canvassing the qualifications of candidates, or probable candidates, for election to (he Control Beard.— Ed. 0.D.T.l