Proposed Wool Organisation Board.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 1100, 26 October 1926, Page 4

Proposed Wool Organisation Board.

At the recent Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union the following remit was passed ; — "This Conference considers that the time has arrived when a Wool Organisation Board is essential for the better marketing of our wool." A deputation from the Conference on the 6th August placed this important matter before the Minister of Agriculture, who has replied thus : — 11 With reference to the deputation from the Dominion Conference of the Farmers' Union, which waited upon me on 6th August for the purpose of making representations as. to the necessity for establishing a Wool Control Board m New Zealand, I have to advise you that I have gone very carefully into the matter from all points of, view. As a result of the consideration given to it, I am not at all satisfied that it will be m the interests Of wo^l growers to establish such a Board. "The conditions under which wool is marketed differ to a marked extent to those existing m ' connection with meat and dairy produce, one most im portant feature lying m the fact that a very large proportion of our wool is sold m the Dominion, each individual grower thus having an opportunity of seeing his wool sold and of accepting the price offered or withdrawing it as he thinks fit. I quite realise the fact that the deputation's views %s to the functions of the suggested Board were quite moderate, but at the same time wbije appreciating the fact that it ia desirable, to do everything possible tc further the legitimate interests of wool growers, I am of opinion that your Union should further examine the whole position, particularly from the point of view of what actual difficulties or disabilities exist at the present time m connection with wool market, ing, and whether the establishment of a Wool Board is necessary m order to overcome them " I have been much impressed by what has happened m Australia last year, 'A very comprehensive proposal was put forward to the wool growers there by Sir John Higgins who has, with great ability, acted as Chairman of the Bawra Organisation, this scheme being on the following lines:— " A voluntary association of woolgrowers, mutual m character, for the purpose of giving as far as practicable greater regularity and greater stability to wool values. Proposed capital £50,000,000. Wbol clips to be acquired by appraisement. Wool so acquired to be realised under direction of the Association by proper, technical and collective methods of marketing. AH receipts, less deductions and expenses, to be. distributed as payment for wool so acquired by appraisement. Initial finance to be guaranteed by Commonwealth Government until sufficient capital has beon subscribed by deduction from payments for wool. Association to issue licenses for the •xporfc of all wool. "On being submitted to the wool growers it was rejected, the growers evidently considering that the ordinary method of sale, was preferable. The proposals put forwaid by your Union were, of course, much loss compre hensive, but at the same time I am of opinion that it would be of grtat advantage if the Union gave the matter further consideration."