DAIRY PRODUCE

Southland Times, Issue 18931, 3 May 1923, Page 6

DAIRY PRODUCE

LONDON MARKET CONTROL. DISCUSSED BY PRODUCERS. (Special to the Times). WELLINGTON, May 2. A remit from Manawatu, “That as the Dairy Control Bill is of vital importance to the dairy farmers of New Zealand, this provincial district gives the Bill its fullest support and approval,” led to an animated discussion at the meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day. Mr F. W. Hubbard, in supporting the remit, said that by far the greater part of New Zealand butter sent, to London was used for blending purposes. They should establish cool stores in London, where the butter could be made up into pound lots, and sent in a pure state to the consumer. A little time ago, Siberia was the largest manufacturer of butter in the world, but now that country was not manufacturing at all. Denmark must have reached the maximum of her production some years ago, and there was a glut on the London market. They wanted to know where it was coming from. They should go for adequate cool storage in London rather than attempt to control the supply from this end. Mr F. Mills (Taranaki) said that they already had ample storage at this end, whereas stores would have to be erected in London. Would it not be easier to control the supply from this end. Mr Hubbard said that the advantage of having a store in London would be that they could take advantage of any rise in the market. A difference of 6d per lb. meant a difference of £2,016,000 to the dairy farmers of this country. Mr J. G. Anderson (Pelorous) considered that Mr Hubbard was on the right lines. To market successfully they must have a representative in London up to every twist and turn of the market. It was no use sending a man from New Zealand, and it was no use having the bulk of the produce here.

The chairman (Mr G. W. Leadley) said that they had not got to the limit of dairy production in New Zealand by a very long way. If they were to go into the matter at all, they should take the clauses of the Bill seriatim, and discuss them on their merits. This proposal was adopted, and the Dairy Produce Export Control Bill was reviewed. ; Mr C. K. Wilson (Auckland) said that the Farmers’ Union agreed with the Bill, but the lead would have to come from the dairy farmers themselves. He moved: “That the Union supports the Dairy Produce Control Bill, as set out with the proviso that the nine producers on the Board be elected from the dairy farmers themselves, but that the method be left to the conference of delegates from the dairy interests.”

The motion was seconded by Mr G. Morrison (Wairarapa) and carried.