EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19086, 4 February 1924, Page 8

EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

NEW ZEALAND DAIRY PRODUCE EXHIBIT. CONTROL BOARD'S PREPARATIONS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. February 1. • Mr Grounds on behalf of the Dairy Control Board, issued the following statement to-night: “The Question of the British Empire Exhibition came early before the board, it being a matter of urgency as the Exhibition will be opened in a few months. At the instigation of the National Dairy Association and the South Island Dairy Association the question cf paying a levy was submitted to all factories nearly a year ago, when about 75 per cent, of the factories agreed to pay. With the passing of the Control Act the associations decided to defer action, thinking that as it was a national matter it should be dealt with by the Control Board on behalf cf the whole industry. Space allotments have been made, including refrigerated space, in conjunction with the Meat Control Board, and arrangements have now been made to take those in band at once. The assistance of the committee is being sought in London, and it is hoped to arrange for a striking and artistic disnlay representative of the industry. The London committee is being asked for a suggestion and estimates for further displays to supplement this central exhibit, and arrangements will probably _ be made to distribute literature in an interesting form dealing with the industry. If this decision could have been arrived at early in the present season a small levy would have been sufficient to have met the expense, but with the major portion of the season’s production already despatched it will be necessary to assess a larger levy on the balance of the season's output yet to be exported. Many aspects of the shipping question were discussed and interesting information was laid before the board. These matters will be subject to further discussion with the Meat Board at an early date. A committee was set up to investigate and decide upon the most efficient method of doing the work of the board’s branches — advertising, the regularity of supplies, the establishment cf information bureaux, and other kindred subjects. It was unanimously agreed that finality cannot be reached until all the aspect? of these questions have been fully discussed with the British merchants. The board fully recognised the value to the New Zealand producer of specialised organisations of these distributing houses, and hopes as the result of consultations to make wider use of them than has hitherto been possible. The board decided to send a deputation to Great Britain, the Continent, the United Stares, and Canada to_ investigate. The report of this delegation will largely guide the future policy of the board. The personnel of the deputation will probably be decided at the next meeting.