DAIRY PRODUCE

Southland Times, Issue 19658, 7 October 1922, Page 6

DAIRY PRODUCE

THE CONTROL BILL. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, October 5. The Dairy Produce Export Control Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives in the early hours of this morning by Governor-General’s message, follows very much the lines of the Meat Export Control Bill, the main difference being that there is no provision for financial backing by the State. The board, as proposed by the Bill, is-to consist of 11 persons: two appointed on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, three elected by the producers in the South Island, and six by the producers in the North Island. Three of the producer representatives are to retire on July 30, 1924, 1925, and 1926, the members retiring to be determined by lot, two in each case beng from the North Island, and one from the South Island, otherwise the members of the board shall hold office for three years, with the right to reappointment. Power is given to appoint deputies and fill vacancies on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, where the member is a Government nominee, and on the recommendation of the board in any other case. The board is to appoint its own chairman, who will hold office for a year. Power is given to the board to appoint officers who may be persons in the service of the Crown. Provision is made for the constitution of a London agency, to consist of such number of persons as the board may decide, one of whom shall be a Government representative. The duty of the London agency will be to keep the board advised as to current prices of dairy produce and other matters relative to the disposal of New Zealand dairy produce in England or elsewhere, to enable the board to control effectively the export, sale, and distribution of New Zealand dairy produce. The Government may prohibit the export of produce except under license issued by the board, or by the Minister, on conditions approved by the board. The board may also assume control of dairy produce intended for export, such control to be exercised after notice given to the owners of the produce, or by notification in the newspapers. The control may be either absolute or limited, and may relate to the shipment, method of sale, or disposal. The board may not exercise its power of control if it is satisfied that a contract for the purchase and sale of the produce made before the commencement of the Act, or before the board has given notice of its intention to assume control, is still in operation. This exception is subject to the condition that the produce under contract is to be exported not later than June 30, 1923. From the date of the constitution of the board, or from a date afterwards appointed, no contract for shipment of dairy produce is to be made, save by the board or in conformity with conditions approved by the board. The board may work in conjunction with the Meat Control Board in arranging contracts for shipping. There is a provision that if the Meat Control Board resolves not to make any shipment contract except under arrangement with the Dairy Produce Board, the latter shall have no authority to make a separate contract while ihat resolution remains in operation. Power is given to the Customs officers to require evidence of approval of a shipping contract when produce is being exported. Authority is given for the collection of a levy on all produce exported, the maximum amount of the levy to be fixed by the regulations. After deduction of the collection charges the net amount of the levy will be paid to the board. The general powers of the board are set out as follows: — To make arrangements and give directions for (a) The handling, pooling, and storage of dairy produce. (b) The shipment of produce on such terms, and in such quantities, as it thinks fit. (c) The sale and disposal on such terms as it thinks advisable. (d) Insurance. (e) /Hl such matters as are necessary for the discharge of ite functions in handling, distributing, and disposing of New Zealand dairy produce. For the purpose of securing advances made to the board, or the owners of the dairy produce as it requests, the board shall have full authority to give security over the produce. The method of applying the moneys received by the board is set- out in detail and includes provision for the establishment of a reserve fund. The Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Special Committee set up by the House. SITTINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 6. The committee appointed to hear evidence in connection with the Dairy Produce Export Control Bill svill commence its proceedings on Thursday, October 12. The evidence of the Nort h Island objectors will be heard on Friday, October 13, and the South Island evidence on Tuesday, October 17. Witnesses desirous of tendering evidence on these dates can notify the clerk of the Dairy Produce Bill Committee at Parliament Buildings. TARANAKI URGING DELAY. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 6. As the outcome of a meeting at New Plymouth on September 22 of dairy fanners opposed to the proposed dairy produce control scheme, Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the committee which drafted rhe Bill now before Parliament, addressed a further meeting here to-day. Some 31 factories were represented and, following Mr Grounds’s remarks, a keen discussion took place for and against the proposal. The opinion was fairly unanimous that it was necessary to do something to improve the present conditions, but strong exception was taken to the hasty manner in which it was alleged the matter was being dealt with. It was announced that a copy of the Bill had been forwarded to each dairy factory, and eventually the following resolution was passed: “That this meeting considers that as a copy of the Bill is being supplied to each dairy company time should be given to suppliers for full consideration before any further steps are takexu”