DAIRY LEGISLATION

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1934, Page 7

DAIRY LEGISLATION

REVIEW BY MR. COATES DICTATORSHIP CHARGE REFUTED. EXECUTIVE’S POWERS SUMMARISED PROSPECTS OF PRODUCE QUOTA. Dunedin, Nov. 13. The problems affecting the dairy industry are reviewed in a statement delivered at a ward conference of dairy factory suppliers at Dimedin to-day on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. “The present export season for dairy produce is the last season that is covered by tho Ottawa Agreement,” says Mr. Coates’ statement. “We are guaranteed continued preference, but it is open to the United Kingdom next year, in August, 1935, to introduce a system of quan-' titative regulation of supplies, Dominion dairy produce included, even earlier than that date, and not through our own’ choosing. It may well be that quantitative regulation of supplies will be a topic under discussion, and alternative methods of dealing with the dairy produce market problem in the United Kingdom may also be discussed. These subjects are mentioned not to alarm producers or the leaders in the industry, but simply to call to mind the real facts of the matter. For myself I am very, well aware of the pitfalls inherent m any system of quantitative regulation. It is certainly unthinkable that any ar-, rangement could be contemplated which did not cover all sources of supply- or which omitted competing and substitute products.” . ' POWERS OF COMMISSION. Discussing the appointment of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, Mr. Coates gives an explicit statement of its powers and purposes, and proceeds: “The new authority is intended to be a coordinating' body working in close cooperation and harmony with the existing producers’ boards. As I stated in the course of the debate in Parliament, it is not intended to dragoon or disturb these boards in their work, but merely to co-ordinate their efforts in a comprehensive manner. Those who have read the Act will have noticed' that in itself it does not give extensive powers to the new Commission of Agriculture. It provides under its enabling sections that the Government may confer powers on the commission and that the Government may by Order-in-Council proceed to give effect to the recommendations made by the Dairy Industry Commission. An important proviso requires that any Order-in-Council made under the Act must at the first opportunity be laid before Parliament and must be expressly ratified by Act of Parliament. This is an answer to the fiction that an “irresponsible dictatorship has been set up. The Government has already given an undertaking that in all matters affecting the primary industries and in connection with proposed action under the enabling powers of the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act we will consult the industry concerned. This undertaking will be honoured in the full. It certainly is our desjre that the Dairy Board should itself on behalf of the industry have the authority and responsibility of carrying through that which is required in the producers’ interests.” PROBLEMS OF PRODUCERS. The Minister concludes By defining under two heads the problems which face the Dominion, and to an especial extent the producers of the Dominion. These are as follow:— (a) Within New Zealand we have the challenging fact that, despite the farmers’ success in producing more, and altogether in doing their job more competently than ever before, theirfinancial returns are smaller and the outlook is uncertain, (b) In the United Kingdom we are witnessing developments, the end of which no man can yet foresee in the direction of regulating the markets for agricultural products. To no country is this of more vital concern than it is to New Zealand.

“The view which I strongly commend to the attention of all who have responsibility in helping to arrive at a decision as to our attitude, is that v/e should do our very utmost to co-operate and to avoid conflict with British policy," says Mr. Coates. “Such an attitude is consistent with our traditional policy; it coincides with our prese .t requirements, and it promises to serve us well in the future."