DAIRY CONTROL BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 19

DAIRY CONTROL BOARD.

DAIRYMEN DISSATISFIED. MINISTER SUPPORTS INDIVIDUAL VOTE. I'he dissatisfaction of dairymen in Otago and Southland at proposals governing the election of the Dairy Export Control Board which would deprive 12,000 suppliers in the South Island of their votes was expressed to the Prime Minister (the Right lion. J. G Coates) and the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. 0. J. Hawken) on Saturday night. The Ministers were waited upon by a deputation representing the Southland and Otago Dairy Producers and Manufacturers’ Association, the gentlemen forming it being Mr William Lee (Wai kouaiti) chairman of the association. Mr J. Macaulay (chairman of the Goodwood Co-operative Dairy Co.) and Mr W D. Mason (Middlemarchl. A meeting of suppliers in the provinces recently passed resolutions emphatically protesting against the proposal to adopt the “tonnage expoi* basis” in the election of candidates to the board, the suppliers being equally opposed to the “council” >r “college’' system They strongly favoured the ward system, on the basis of three wards for the South Island ana six wards for the North Island, with the present privilege of one vote for one producer. In introducing the deputation Mr J. M‘C. Dickson, M.P.. stated that he was in sympathy with the requests. Mr Mason explained that the association represented the .dairymen who supplied cream to the various companies. He reminded the Ministers that in Otago and Southland the cheese factories were few, compared with the number ip the North Island. During July last, a deputation from the association had pointed out to the Prime Minister that any change in the voting system would entirely disfranchise the producers. On that occasion they had asked that consideration be given to the question of bringing the nresent wards into a more reasonable size, so that the producers could register an intelligent vote The “tonnage export” system would practi callv take votes away from the cream suppliers. of whom there were 12.000 in the South Island. If the “tonnage” franchise were carried, the directors of the companies would exercise the votes now held bv the dairymen No more than 3000 of the cream suppliers in the South Island were associated with the buyers in the capacity of shareholders, but even that did not mean co-operation for the dairyman were simply suppliers to manufacturing companies The association asked that the present voting system should be adhered to and that the electorates in both the North and South Islands should be cut up to allow of an intelligent vote. Mr Mason said that the association had deputed him to visit Southland to obtain the views of suppliers. He had addressed suppliers to 13 creameries and interviewed from 15 to 18 chairmen of cheese factories. Through out hig tour, extending over 11 days, he had received not one refusal to support tho association, although two factories had deferred their decisions until more repro sentative meetings had been held Mr Mason said that, the earnest, consideration of the Ministers was requested, as the Otago nnd Southland dairy farmers were able to change over to sheep farming and cropping if conditions wore unsettled. The people would have no inducement to con tinue with their herdg and the young people would drift to the cities, which would be in opposition to the policy hold by the Prime Minister. Mr Maeauley said that the dairymen wanted representation by the best methods The association hold that the single ward system and voting by the individual

producer could not be improved upon. “When this matter of the Control Board came before the (louse, the measure would never have become law if it had been understood that the vote could not be exercised by the individual producer,” Mr Macauley declared. “The measure was supported also by Liberal and Labour, and I think that you could hardlv imagine a proposal by which the control \vas no? to be given to the producer.” The chairman of the Control Board had. he said been in favour of the single ward, but ai a recent meeting in Taranaki, when addresses had been given by several members of the board, the chairman had “turned right round.” The association could see no reason for the present voting being altered. The dairymen did not desire the alteration and he held the opinion that the Dairy Control Board and those connected with it were responsible. As producers, they emphatically protested against the attitude adopted. Mr Lee endorsed the remarks and said that ifg the producers had been considered sufficiently intelligent to refer the Bill to, they were also intelligent enough to vote for the aspirants to the hoard. He suggested that Mr liawken should satisfy himself that any policy undertaken by the board would provide sufficient advance? to the dairymen for urgent demands. Mr Hawken (laughingly): Would it not take 120 per cent, advance to make them pay their way? Mr Coates: Did not the producers approve of the Act as it was then drafted? Mr Lee: It was submitted to them and they voted on It. Mr Coates: Exactly. It is their own Bill. Mr Macauley: "They are proposing to alter it. Mr Coates: At whose instigation? At the instigation of the producers. Mr Lee: Excuse me. Mr Coates: Yes, pardon me. There il no question of doubt that the alterations suggested came from the dairy producers. Mr liawken said a meeting would be held on April 28 to consider the proposals. A Member of the deputation stated that the producers had received no intimation of the meeting other than through the newspapers. Mr Coates: You are quite right in coming along and saying what you want. Mr Hawken, I am sure, wants to hear your views. To Mr Hawken, Mr Mason said that the association was representative of the smaller factories. They would not be represented at the conference, as they were not recognised. Replying to the deputation, Mr Hawken said that he was very pleased to have heard their representations. As the members were aware, there had been much discussion on the questions. He could say, however, that the Government had an open mind in the matter. Objections, he knew, would be made at the big conference, but the Dairy Control Board was not concerned about the decision or voting “The Government will certainly see to it that the individual supplier shall not be kept out,” said Mr Hawken. “That is my opinion.” Mr Coates: Yes. it was intended in the first place that he should not. Mr Hawken continued that whether the ward voting could be altered was another matter He believed it was the general desire of dairymen that the North and South Islands should be divided into wards, but on what basis he had not yet reached a decision. Personally he considered that the individual producer should register a vote. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture were thanked for their consideration of the deputation’s protests. BOARD’S POLICY SUPPORTED. INYERCARGILL, February 27. A representative gathering of Southland dairymen, which was held on Saturday, followed with interest an address by Mr YV. Grounds on the policy of the Control Board. The speech followed on the lines of his northern addresses, and at the conclusion the following resolution was carried with only one vote against it:— “That this meeting of dairy farmers, having listened to Mr Grounds’s review of the policy and work of the Dairy Control Board, hereby expresses its confidence in the board and the hope that it will pursue the policy outlined by it to its logical conclusion.”