DAIRY COMMISSION

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3237, 24 November 1934, Page 5

DAIRY COMMISSION

. eiHTIOISM BY FARMERS' "ONION * < MEETING IN CAMBRIDGE; ADDRESS BY MR H.' 0: MELLSOP Though there was a small attendance of farmers at a meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall yesterday, when an address in criticism of the Teport of the Dairy Commission and consequent legislation was given by Mr H. O. Mcllsop, president of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union in the Auckland Provinco, there was a unanimous opinion in support of the efforts against the Emergency Bill. Mr S. N. Ziman, president of ' the local branch, presided and in introducing the speaker, said he realised it was ■a busy time for arranging a meeting, but at such a time of crisis in the dairying industry, ho "had hdped for a greater representation of farmers; He referred to several' months ago when the proposed' restrictions oh dairy 1 products was mooted and the resultant : Dairy Commission.' 'However, that _ alarm had been unfounded as a definite declaration was given England that no quota would' bo iriiposdd'"'while 1 the Ottawa Agreement lasted, v? Tarmers Not Represented : Hi 1 Ziman made it the criticism which would-bej levelled at the Commission meant no reflection,on the good faith and.intelligence ;Qf, ; its. individuals. The community , suffered, through having no wor,lung ; dajry. farrier represented, except Mr lorns, who was ill during most of the sessions. Ho considered the Commission had taken a narrow, view of its , responsibilities. The main cause of tho present, world condition was the monetary system in operation. Mr Mellsop also stressed;,that there was no personal grudge against the 'Commission, but it was significant that i-although the Auckland Province was Tcsponsible for 67 per cent of the Dominion's dairy exports, it did not have representation. The main trouble with the industry was that while production had increasL ed and the butter was the best, prices ■ were wrong, said Mr Mellsop. There I had been much criticism of the Dairy Board, but it would be admitted ij at good had come of its deliberations. The trouble was that the board had no power within the Dominion, said the .speaker. ■<.:• •/;-,■: --" -![■■, r -Curse of Party Politics ■' At this stage, Mr Mellsop again stated that the question was being discussed without par ty.,pr< .political attiturc. '' Party politics are the biggest -curse of the Dominion to-day, and I "would like to see the Farmers' Union with enough power to make a stand on the subject," he said...,;, ,-.■. I -\ .■-:', ■■ It was explained that under the.rc•ccnt Act the Dairy Board is to.be reconstructed with four producers and t three Government, representatives, with a supreme counciLof .three. Criticising the proposals as detailed for the board, Mr Mcllsop asked why .the sale ■of dairy products should be limited when Other industries were- not- restricted. He did not think the farmers would stand for it. The local sales regulations were also wrong, he contended, and would hit the small dairy companies who had build up .a good local trade with adwertising and campaigns. The conyplete tover-riding authority of the supreme council really was,a system of taxation without representation, said the speaker, and. a state of .•affairs that had never been put, up in any other country. They had complete control of all departments and the wide and sweeping powers of a Royal Commission. I "Tuberculosis Question The duties of the full board were "both advisory and executive, he said. An advisory board was needed, but its . members should be elected from rcpre- ] sentatives of the industry. I The Act was an Empowering Bill •giving the board power to carry out any or all of the recommendations of the Commission. I The proposed scheme for the clmina- : tion of tuberculosis from herds was ' strongly criticised, it being contended i that there was no danger of butter and cheese being affected. It was the wrong course to kill all affected cows, as the disease could not even then be stamped out. The Government has set aside £1,000,000 to compensate farmers for two-thirds of their losses on tuber- I -culosis cows and this would be irrecoverable. Mr Mellsop urged that a groat fiffht be put up against tliis wholesale slaughter. Though there was a proposal that' £SOOO be granted to provide better conditions for factory workers, the speaker considered there, was more B?%ecd for assistance for the farmers selves. - w No Immediately Renefit A point about the Commission is ■that it offers no immediate benefit, but •only increased , costs, continued Mr

Mellsop. It was nccossary to equaliso costs and prices and he could not see how the Act was going to help the

matter. I "Our proposals arc that the board ' consist of six members from the industry and two from the Government and that the chairmen of the various boards form a co-ordinating advisory board. We < arc fighting against a council appointed by the Qpvern--'merit,'' said < Mr Mellsop. *u Outlining the policy of the Farmers' "Union,, ho said, it was felt that agree; «ments should and could be made with "Britain for freer trade both ways. It i'was not thought that a combine with. '.Australia in> a stand with Britain I should bo made, as Australia was on a 'different footing to New Zealand. A lower interest rate was wanted, he said, but the Mortgage Corporation would have to be watched very closely and it was not likely to be in the interests of the farming community. In conclusion he said that the proposals of the Farmers' Union should result in a set price of lOd per lb for buttcrfat with reforms a 1/- lb with conditions as at present. • ' In thanking Mr Mellsop, Mr Ziman said he had hoped to hear the report and legislation defended by Mr Lye, but nnfortunately the member had been called, away to New Plymouth. A (grave Injustice Mr Ziman said that criticism, of th e . report :, had been hampered by kek oi evidence. In his wide -experience he had never heard of a Royal Commission, of which the evidence was not published. It was easy?.to give decisions, provided the evidence was not disclosed, he said, and .the farmers of New Zealand were under a grave injustice.

In reply to Mr Blackman, who asked if the Producers' Board had been a success during the past eight years, Mr Mellsop replied that the producers' representatives had been quite successful but did not have their own way. Mr E. Nickle asked if the Government should subsidise to the extent of lOd ot 1/- lb for buttcrfat. Mr Mcllsop replied that such a move would not be. justified by taxation, but a loan without interest would be the best help for the farmers.

Cambridge Chairman's Views Mr W. Harbutt, chairman of the Cambridge Dairy Company, also thanked Mr Mcllsop for his address, but said he could not agree with all his remarks. tThe country had had a Control Board for eight years and during the past 12 month's it had cost the industry £BO,OOO through levies. He considered most of the trouble with the industry had been caused by influence from some of the dairy companies. Where the Dairy Act will fail, said Mr Harbutt, is in marketing. The farmers were well able to look after their industry and were providing the best quality goods. He contended that a supreme council to control marketing should be appointed of business men in. England. / "If the Act comes into force as it is at present there will be revolution in New Zealand," said Mr Harbutt. "The people in the industry are making slaves of their wives and families and it cannot go on any longer." Dealing with cheese, Mr Harbutt said the industry should be •in the hands of the New Zealand farmers, but for failure in marketing, said Mr Har-

butt. It was a business-man's job to sell the products and little would be gained from the Control Board. In conclusion, Mr Harbutt said there was only one way to alter the Act and that was through the ballot-box. Mr Norman said the Danes had established their market in England, but the butter was no better than the New Zealand product. He said there was a need to create a market and it was necessary to get the right men to do it. The farmers themselves were not salesmen. ~ Support for Union Mr Mellsop then asked for the feeling of the meeting of those in support of the Farmers' Union's efforts against the Bill,' and a unanimous vote was accorded his efforts. He said it was necessary to show the Government that the farmers as a whole were against the. Act being brought into force. In concluding the meeting, Mr Ziman paid the meeting had boon to acquaint the farmers of the position and to have toTwethinsj to place before meeting of the Ward to be held in Hamilton on Thursday, November 29. It was important that as many as possible attend the mooting, said Mr Ziman. On the motion of Mr H. A. Watkins. n, heartv vote of thanks was accorded Mr Mellsop for Ins address.