DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20295, 3 May 1934, Page 14

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

The Commission’s Order of Reference. VERY WIDE INQUIRY. (Special to the "Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 3. When the Government made its first | announcement of a Royal Commission ; to investigate problems of the dairy , industry, seven points were enumer- , ated by the Prime Minister as being j the matters which should be covered j by the inquiry. The order of refer- j ence as finally framed is more exten- i sive, for there are now twelve specific j questions, which include consideration of the possibility of reducing the output of dairy produce, and also the ade quacy of the legislation under which the Dairy Control Board is operating. The commission comprises Mr Justice Frazer, who is to be chairman, Messrs George A. Duncan, John Gilkisen, William A. lorns and David O. Williams. In the preamble to the order j of reference it is stated: “Whereas a; crisis has arisen in the affairs of the j industry by reason in part of the cost ! of production and in part of a reduc- j tion in the price obtainable overseas j for butter and cheese produced in New j Zealand, and whereas it is contenv j plated that further legislation in i amendment of the enactments herein- j before recited or in addition thereto j should be passed in order that the in- ; dustry may be maintained and de- j veloped,” the Commission is directed to inquire on all such matters as it deems relevant to the condition of the dairy industry, the twelve questions being enumerated with the qualification that they do not limit the generality of the Commission’s authority. These specific points are as follow: Specific Points. (1) The existing relationship between the production of dairy produce in New Zealand and the demand for such produce in New Zealand or in the existing markets overseas. (2) The practicability of extending existing markets and of establishing new markets. (3) The desirability or otherwise of vaoung the proportions existing j

between the different classes oi manufactured dairy produce produced for local or for overseas markets. (4) The economic practicability of the utilisation of raw dairy products for purposes other than the manufacture of butter or cheese. (5) The desirability or otherwise of j reducing the total output of dairy i produce by the utilisation for other purposes of lands that are now being used or are intended to be used for j dairy farming. (6) The methods generally follow- | ed in the industry in the production J of raw products or of manufactured : products, and any practicable im- | provements of those methods or any j of them that could be adopted with | advantage. { (7) The sufficiency or otherwise of i the monetary returns lor the use of capital or labour received by the i persons directly or indirectly engaged j in the industry. (8) The manner in which charges j on the proceeds of the industry can j best be reduced, having regard to the j interests of the dairy farmers and i the workers engaged in the industry j in the production of raw materials, | of persons engaged in the manufac- j I ture of dairy produce, and of persons j \ having capital invested by way of j j mortgage or otherwise in the indus- | trj*- or in any enterprise associated i j with the industry. (9) The desirability or otherwise | of affording further assistance for the j j maintenance and reasonable develop-j ! ment of the industry, and the means j by which any such assistance can best be afforded. (10) The methods that should be adopted for the purpose of securing i proper co-operation between persons j engaged in the production, manufacture, sale or distribution of daily I produce and of persons similarly en- j gaged elsewhere. (11) Methods that may reasonably be adopted for promoting an in- I creased consumption in New Zealand I or elsewhere of raw or of manufac- | tured dairy produce. (12) The adequacy of the provi- i sions of the Dairy Industry Act, j 1908, and the Dairy Produce Export! Control Act, 1923, having regard to the special conditions now affecting | the industry. The Commission is directed to com- j plete its report by June 10. j