THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTROL

Wairarapa Age, 19 December 1924, Page 4

THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTROL

The principle of the control of New Zealand produce on export by special boards constituted for the purpose seems to have been very cordially adopted by most of those concerned. The Meat Control Board, which has now been in existence for the best part ef two years, has already done tangible good for the producers of meat, and incidentally of other products. That example was followed last year by the dairy farmers, whoso control board is also now functioning and. has already done some good. The honey producers, who have a recognised though not a very lucrative position on the London market, have now by 253 votes to 9 approved of t)ie Honey Export Control Act being brought into operation; and at the same time the fruitgrowers, who are not .quite so unanimous on the point, have voted for their Act to be made operative. On this question 291 growers wore eligible to vote, and 230 cast their votes, only 40 being unfavourable. That is to say, as far as can be seen, only about 13 per cent of the voters are opposed to the measure. The subsidiary question of control by provinces seems to have been emphatically rejected, as was to be expected, everywhere but in Nelson province. It is interesting to note that almost the strongest point in favour of the control of exports has only been brought out within the last week or so in the interview which we published with Mr W. A. lorns, and in the letter from Mr Dynes Fulton (Waikato), which also appeared in “The Age.” The great weakness- of New Zealand butter on the British market is the fact that it has never enjoyed its identity there. It may or may not be true that most of it goes* into the hands of the blenders. That is a minor point. What is true is that

New Zealand butter is not obtainable by British retailers all through the year. Consequently, though some of them are able to recommend it to their customers and to get iVsought after during portion of the supply then fails and they* have to recommend something else for the remainder of the time, and begin again next season working in the New Zealand article. That is the great weakness which control ought to be able to remedy as regards dairy produce, fruit and honey alike.