DAIRY FARMERS’ BALLOT.

Wairarapa Age, 24 September 1923, Page 7

DAIRY FARMERS’ BALLOT.

ON CONTROL ISSUE. (To the Editor.) Sir, — I see by to-day’s paper that the above referendum is to be conducted by postal ballot on or about October 17, and I have no hesitation in saying that our Control Council have subscribed to a method of voting which, to s ay the least of it, has strengthened our opponents position, and weakened our own. The average dairy farmer, left to his own volition, is not very keen on anything that has to do with a pencil and envelope, and the Control Council should have safeguarded that weakness on behalf of so important an issue.

A few weeks ago the Dairy Farmers’ Union called a meeting in Masterton on dairy control, and got censured for its enthusiasm, but we nevertheless worked out with Mr Gillespie a voting system which we claim, is fur superior to the postal votv. Mr Gillespie ’s suggestion was this—that every factory manager should act upon one day, as returning officer. He would have a type written list of every supplier’s name, anud ballot paper and envelope. On the outside of the envelope is a small tag of paper gummed, and when the supplier has secretly voted and closed the envelope, his name i s written on the ta.g. The manager would then deliver them to the secretary, who would check them and tear oft the outside name and deliver to the chief returning officer at Wellington. That simple procedure would ensure every supplier’s vote and that is what we -want. No more, no less. I would draw your readers’ attention to a short paragraph in 11 The Age” of Thursday: “Mr D. Cameron stated at the Otago Executive of the Farmers’ Union, that of 4350 sheep owners who were entitled to vote for members of the Meat Board only 90b had recorded their votes.” I hope that won’t be our experience on dairy control, and I shall be interested to learn from the representatives of the Council in this district, what steps are being taken to ensure that every supplier’s vote will be recorded. We don’t want so vital an issue lost at the eleventh hour. —I am, etc., B. FOBERTS. President Dairy Farmers’ Union.