THE DAIRY CONTROL BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 11

THE DAIRY CONTROL BOARD.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir,—A leading article in your issue of tfi 3 16th inst. dealt with recent events concerning the Dairy Control Board in a general way and,’’’after referring to specific advice cabled to the board, made comment which because of its importance, I would ask space to quote rather fully, as follows; ■ ihat this advice did not express the opinion of the London manager probably explains the board’s refusal to act upon it. But the board has been warned from London —by the Prime Minister among others —that its London manager does not enjoy the confidence of the trade, and that the interests of the producers would therefore be served if his engagement were terminated. This point, however, does not seem to have engaged the board’s attention.” This presentment of the matter opens out a wide field of thought. One naturally asks. In what way does the position involve the office of the Prime Minister that h G should step in with such pointed advice in a matter so fundamental to the business of the board? the board was deliberately set up by the Legislature and endowed with its full powers. The Goverment’s share in its deliberations is defined by specific representation up° n tfi® board in the Dominion and also upon tha London agency, and tho producers, through their elected representatives enjoy their legal share _in the direction of the board’s policy and activities. Or it may be asksd, Does the reference do justice to the Prime Minister'? Was tho cable concerned merely a confidential communication which has been improperly divulged, or wjis it intended &s semi-mandatory advice to so drastic interference with the legally constituted powers of the board? Although this question involves a great difference of degree, the fact remains that the business of the Dairy Control Board is not a/ Government department.—l am, etc., DBF November 19. [The Prime Minister ‘‘stepped in” merely because traders took advantage of his being in London to make representations to him which he communicated to the Dairy Control Board. — Ed. O.D.T.]