DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1401, 8 September 1923, Page 5

DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL.

RUKUHIA DAIRYMEN FAVOUR IT. (Special to Waipa Post.) "That this meeting of dairy farmers is entirely in sympathy with the movement to bring into force the Dairy Produce Export Control Bill as passed by Parliament by a four to one majority, and urges every dairy farmer to vote for it," was the motion unanimously carried at Ruku'hia on Thursday evening by a meeting of farmers after the measure had been explained by Mr A. J. Heighway, acting assistant manager of the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co. Ltd. The fact that Parliament, after the fullest possible enquiry extending through two sessions, and an exhaustive examination of all evidence tendered by opponents of the measure had approved the Bill by such a majority, constituted, said Mr Heighway, the very best proof of the essential wisdom and common sense basis of the measure. Farmers could very safely follow that guide and by voting for the machinery to be put into motion put themselves in the possession of an effective board to improve the industry in important features. The voting papers would be distributed by the Government electoral office in Wellington as soon as the lists of suppliers now in course of preparation were available and votes had to be returned to that office by October 17. The Bill would give the producers of the country power to improve the shipping, advertising and marketing of their produce. Freight rates of dairy produce at present were unduly high, but through being disunited the producers were unable to apply pressure for a reduction. The freight on butter was 100 per cent above the prewar figure, and that on cheese 130 per cent higher. It was considered that 50 per cent over pre-war rates would be fair, and if that standard had been in operation in the past season the producers* freight bill would have been reduced by £400,000. Irregular shipments also inflicted loss upon the producers. In the case of cheese delay in the middle of the past season created a scarcity on the Home market with the result that prices soared and afterwards heavily slumped when big shipments arrived. A steady price secured by regular shipments would have proved more profitable to the producers to the extent, it was estimated, of about £500,000. A board able to speak with authority for the whole industry would be able to make long term shipping contracts on an advantageous basis as to price and conditions of shipment. The opponents of the measure had been driven by logic and commonsense from one point to another until they rallied upon their last fighting point of "no compulsion." This was a mere bogey. Compulsion applied in every phase of life. People were compelled, restricted and regulated in one direction or another from the moment of their birth right through life to their death and the application of compulsory unity to the industry was only an extension of already existing principles. So far as marketing was concerned, the fullest success of the scheme would depend upon its administration. Those responsible did not intend to embark upon any ridiculous experiments. Their intention was to build upon and improve already existing satisfactory avenues of distribution. London distributing houses of standing and integrity were prepared to co-operate with the Board in organising a sound scheme. Producers recognised that their distributive outlets were necessary and could not be replaced. But the activities of the speculator could very well be restricted.

(By Telegraph. Press Association.) PALMERSTOX N.. Friday. A meeting of the executive of the Dairy Farmers' Union in the Wellington Province decided to support the Dairy Produce Bill and urge all dairy farmers to support it. DUNEDIN, Friday. At the annual meeting of the Taieri and Peninsula. Dairy Company today, a dividend of C per cent, was declared. A resolution was carried that milk and cream suppliers present emphatically protest against the compulsory clauses in the Dairy Export Control Act.