THE DAIRY BOARD REPORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 6

THE DAIRY BOARD REPORT

THE Dairy Board’s report has at last been published. The year closed on July 31, 1937, so the report makes its appearance no less than eight months after the period with which it deals. Its usefulness, therefore, is very much impaired, and can now only be regarded as history. An inset is included with the report indicating that the report was written in July and August, “and goes out exactly as drafted them.” The reason for the delay in issuing the report and balance-sheet is given in the following words: “It was due to the necessity of having the Government’s approval of certain payments which were not provided for in the legislation under which the board is working. Had it gone out earlier it would have required a tag from the Government Audit Office, and the board was of the opinion that delay was preferable to this action. The matter was fully explained t<> the Dominion Conference.” The explanation does not make matters very clear. The explanation is that the board desired to make, or did make, sonic payments for which it had no authority; that the Government Auditor refused to pass such payments, and that in the end legislation was enacted to get over the difficulty of making these certain payments. The matter may have been explained to the Dominion Conference, but why was such explanation not included in the annual report of the board? The board’s account of its stewardship is to be looked for in the report. The explanation of this unauthorised expenditure should be as important as any of the olher matters which the report deals.