THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22999, 30 September 1936, Page 4

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

WORK OF CONTROL BOARD (Per United Press Association) WHANGAREI, September 29. The annual conference of No. 1 ward of the Dairy Control Board was held to-day. Mr A. D. Murdoch (chairman of the board) presided, and Mr Brash (secretary) was also in attendance. Mr Murdoch said that as a new department had taken over control of the board’s staff there should be no difficulty in handling the produce at the New Zealand and English ends. Dealing with the constitution of the board, Mr Murdoch gave a complete denial of the statements that the board was a Government department. It was 1 consulted and largely dominated by the Government, but its first job was to make representations on behalf of the industry. “Many of us may not be satisfied with the present conditions of the industry,” Mr Murdoch said, “ but whatever our personal views the job of the board is to give to the powers in control every opportunity to make good. If they fail in their objects then it is the duty of the board members to voice their complaints and introduce further ideas. It is my ideal to give 100 per cent, service, and so far the board has received no complaints from the Minister. Judging from our limited statutory powers it does not appear that we have much work to do, but the Minister has made it clear that we are definitely a useful adjunct to the work of the department. and in a consultative capacity. You hang on to your board, and if it fails you, in any way do not hesitate to say so.” Asked the position with regard to local marketing, Mr Murdoch replied: “You know as much as we do on the subject. Mr Duncan has advised the board to tell the directors to go ahead and that nothing harsh will be done.” A motion expressing the opinion that a compensating price was essential to meet the rising costs accruing in the dairy industry was carried, the motion that one shilling per pound for superfine be advanced uniformly being withdrawn.