DAIRY BOARD’S ACTION

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1926, Page 11

DAIRY BOARD’S ACTION

MR. TIMPANY’S DISCLOSURES ANOTHER MEMBER’S VIEWS. MERCHANTS NOT ANTAGONISTIC The opinion that it was the function of the ehairman or acting-chairman to issue public statements dealing with the business of the Control Board, and that Mr. T. M. Timpany, of Southland, had really exceeded the prerogatives of a member in disclosing the contents of what were regarded as more or less confidential cables, was the opinion expressed by Mr. H. D. Forsyth, of Eltham, when the statements and disclosures of Mr. Timpany as reported in yesterday's Daily Nows were referred to that gentleman by a Daily News representative. As one of the oldest members of the board, Mr. Forsyth said he believed the time had come when the public should be admitted to a greater extent into the confidence of the board, and he fully expected that before long representatives of (he daily press would be welcomed at meetings. Mr. Timpany had, however, precipitated matters, and it was likely that the next meeting of the board would be of an exceedingly interesting nature. Mr. Forsyth did not agree with Mr. Timpany’s summing up of the position. He denied that the board had any evidence of London merchants boycotting New Zealand butter and cheese in order fo retaliate for antagonism created by the actions of the board. In support of this contention he referred to that passage. in the Prime Minister’s message which stated that the influential deputation representing importers, blenders, multiple shops, wholesale provision merchants and retailers, which had waited upon him in London, had recognised the position, and had stated their desire to continue to work in the interests of the New Zealand dairy trade, and had accepted his (the Prime Minister’s) statements. The facts of the situation, said Mr. Forsyth, were that the London merchants were acting with ordinary trade caution in reducing advances to a safe basis, as neither the producers in New Zealand nor the merchants themselves desired anything in the nature of reclamation payments which might follow if a too optimistic view of future sales was taken. INCREASED ADVANCES ON CHEESE. Mr. Timpany had further stated that he had been informed that the matter of increasing advances was out of the board’s control, but yesterday morning the board was advised that, in response to their representations, many of the merchants had already agreed to increase the advance on cheese. Mr. Forsyth was reluctant to say how much the increased advance would amount to, but hinted that it would probably be Id. per lb. At the same time lie expressed a doubt if New Zealand cheese on the open market would, at the present time, realise more than 7ld per lb f.o.'b., and suggested that Mr. Timpany’s estimate of 8d was on the high side. Dealing with the position of Mr. Wright’s continued connection with the board as London manager, Mr. Forsyth said he would prefer not to make any definite statement, but intimated that the question was bound to receive further consideration. Tn its deliberations, the board would probably be guided by the reports of the chairman (Mr. W. Grounds) and of Mr. Grainger, export adviser, as was indicated in Mr. Grounds’ eable of October 15.