DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1415, 13 October 1923, Page 4

DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL.

MESSAGE TO PRODUCERS. FROM DOMINION PRESIDENT OF DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION. (Special to Waipa Post.) .■. Interest grows in the forthcoming poll or producers on the question of whether the Dairy Produce Export Control Act will become operative. Meetings have been held in practically all thtf important dairying centres in the Dominion, and farmers have had the provisions of the Act explained to them, and opportunity afforded for discussing the main points, which are, needless to say, the compulsory clauses. Last issue, in answer to a correspondent, we quoted the compulsory and taxation clauses. Now comes a message from Mr Chas. Parker. of Hairini, the Dominion president of the Dairy Farmers’ Union. Speaking to a representative of the, t Waipa Post. Mr Parker urged all producers authorised to vote to exercise their privilege before the closing date of the poll—Wednesday next, the 17th inst —the votes being required to reach the returning officer at Wellington before noon on that day. Thus the voters ip the Auckland Province must send off their voting papers not later than by Monday’s mail, which, by the way, closes at Te Awamutu at 9 p.m. Mr Parker appeals to the voters not to allow the opportunity to secure control to pass now that they have this power entrusted to • them. Parliament, in its wisdom, gave to the dairy farmers the final say on the question that is so vitally affecting the industry, and therefore it is incumbent upon them all to exercise the privilege. As to the proposals, Mr Parker emphasised the fact that for many years the industry has been crippled, or at least restricted, by foreign influences, and the opportunity lias now come for farmers to direct and control their own affairs. The arduous work of butterfat production has been made to carry many men whose remuneration has been comparatively great while their usefulness to the industry has been of a more or less negligible quantity. . The best interests of the producers, asserted Mr Parker, will he gained by support of the principles of the Act. Votes are, as previously mentioned, returnable not later than noon of Wednesday next, and it therefore behoves every dairy farmer, large and small, to see that his or her voting privilege is not neglected.

WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT

Mr A. E. Fear. Dominion Organiser of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, has been addressing largely attended meetings in the Lower Waikato during the past two weeks—at Pukekohe, Bombay, Pokeno, Mangatawhiri Valley, Oiaua, Drury, Hunua, Xlfriston, .nd other districts. Great interest was taken in the proposed Dairy Control Act. Mr Fear, in outlining the Bill, stated that the time had come when the 556 dairy companies would have to move collectively, with an export trade of £18,000,000 worth of dairy produce, the enormous saving that would he made in reduced freights and overhead charges, and regular supplies would ensure belter prices to the dairy farmers. Mr Grounds’ statement that we are losing £1,750,000 is quite correct. We. as producers, are losing all along the line. The opposition to the Dairy Control Act was the proprietary concerns. proving that the shoe pinched,', and they were losing financially. The great objection seemed to be the electing of a Board of twelve reliable men to represent the dairy producers. Surely out of the whole Dominion we can find genuine men who will stand by their fellow farmers and see that their produce gets a fair deal. The present financial position of 'the country demands her lev conditions for the producers. One would think by the formation of a Dairy Control Board the bottom was going to drop out of the country. The Government of this Dominion could not allow such things to happen, and were going to keep a watchful eye on the business. The dairy farmers at the present time were working for nothing, and the time had come when they had to place a value on what they produced, the same as every other section of the community. The Tooley Street merchants were making millions annually because of the system we are working under at present separately, and thus being able to deal with small dairy companies, and use this as a lever to keep down prices of those dairy companies who consign direct to the open market in Great Britain. Our butter and cheese for quality stands second to none in the world, which will demand its right place in the forefront of the markets of the world under the proposed Dairy Control Act. and thus ensuring a closer co-operation between the dairy companies, minimise the cost of ■ distributing, and place the dairy farmers on a more businesslike footing. After all questions were satisfcatorily each meeting passed a resolution in favour of the Bill and urged every farmer to be sure and record his vote so as to carry the Bill by a large majority. OPPOSED AT RUAWAI. (By Telegraph. Press DARGAVILLE, Friday. m A largely attended meeting held at Ruawai last evening was addressed by Mr E. Maxwell and Mr F. H. Leonard on the Dairy Produce Control Act, and the following resolution was carried unanimously:—“That this meeting of suppliers are entirely opposed to the.’coming into operation of the Dairy Produce Control Act.”