DAIRY MARKETING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18254, 24 November 1933, Page 9

DAIRY MARKETING

DEMAND FOR FREEDOM CRITICISM OF BOARD MINISTERS SVM PATHETIC (Pur Pr«?« Association \ WELLINGTON, last night. An assurance that the Government would undertake, as far as it could, to see that serious consideration was given by the Dairy Board to its proposed step towards changing the present system of marketing in Britain, was given to a deputation from tlie Free .Marketing Association to-day by the Prime Minister, the Rt. lion. G, W. Forbes, and the Minister of Agriculture, the llon. C. E. Macmillan.

The deputation announced its wish for a vote to be taken on the subject by all dairy factories.

The spokesmen were the president of the association, Mr.. F. -Elliott, and Messrs. T. M. Timpanv and -W. G. Watts, vice-presidents.

“Like you, I am to a great extent fogged as to what the board’s intentions are,” said Mr. Macmillan, “There is, however, a difference of opinion as to whether the Government comes at all into this.” Under a section of the Dairy Produce Export Control Act. 1923, he continued, full power of control is not given to the board, but apparently some of it rested in the GovernorGeneral. Recently, lie understood, the board had been advised that it could function without that restriction. He had not seen the Solicitor-General about it yet, but was “sitting on it.” No doubt the board’s intentions were good, and the new proposals, whatever they were, were probably the result of the-visit of its chairman. Mr. lorns, to England. He thought the deputation's ideas for a vote to be taken among the factories was very sound, and he was inclined to ask the board if it had any objection to that course being pursued. DANGER OF CONTROL The Minister said lie understood from the board that it did not propose to stop f.o.b. selling, but was thinking of work, ing on London parity, “but I don’t understand how tliev can toll what the London parity is going to be when their produce arrives,” Air. Macmillan remarked, to a chorus of, “Exactly.” “However,” lie continued, “you can be assured that the Government will not move in this without- very serious consideration.”

“I suggest that the annual meeting of various dairy companies should vote on the question,” Mr. Forbes said. He agreed that the attempt made to control the marketing of produce in the past had been very prejudicial fo the interests of the industry. One had to Ip’ very careful indeed before aiivtbing'was done that would antagonise the trade in England.

“T think the board would be wiso before doing anythin? of this' sort, that mav have an important effect on New •Zealand, to see what the dairy companies think of it.” Mr. Forbes continued. “You cun relv oil it that the Government will keen an eye on the situation, although, of course, the board oecnnies a very commanding position in the industry, given to it by the Government. We do not want to interfere in its management bf your show without hood reason, However. I think it will be safe in the hands of Mr. Macmillan to see that an onuortunitv to express an opinion is provided to the gfeatest extent.” NEW BODY FORMED OPPOSITION TO HOARD (IVr Preas ARKnctttl inn.)' WELLINGTON, last night. A meeting composed of representatives' of dairy companies in. both islands, desirous of forming a Free Marketing Association to act independently of the Dairy Board, was held to-day. It was decided to name the association the Producers Free Marketing Association of New Zealand, Incorporated. The annual membership subscriptions were fixed at not more than 6U a ton on butter and 3cl a ton on cheese, calculations to be based on the output returns for June, 1933, the minimum subscription to be £l, and the maximum £ 75..

Officers were elected as- follows: President, Mr. F. Elliott (ITikurangi); vice-presidents, Messrs. William C. Watts (East Tamaki), T. M. Tlntpany (Woodlands); secretary, Mr. E. M. Edgar; executive committee, Messrs. W. Wallace (Ruawai), James Cotter (Hinuera), McCracken, Purdie, Parsons (Whenuakura), 11. H. Hansen (Tamaki), Gould, and A. A. Jensen. The executive was empowered to frame the necessary rules and also to appoint a delegation to meet the Dairy Board.