DAIRY CONTROL

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 9 April 1927, Page 3

DAIRY CONTROL

THE BUTTER MARKET.

<ol7* OWN WELLINGTON, April 6.

Mr William lorns, the chairman of the London Agency of the Dairy Control Board, who in October last indicated his opposition to price-fixing, and who requested to be recalled to the Dominion if the price-fixing policy was to bo maintained, in a statement recently issued for publication claims

“that the great majority of all branches of the trade are now doing their utmost to assist the New Zealand

producer over a very difficult position, caused by the unfortunate past policy of the Board.” In this he is probably correct, for the market movements since price-fixing was abandoned have been quite normal under the circumstances. Forcing supplies on the market brought down the price, and as these supplies were taken off the market prices improved. The demand for the moment has slackened, and there has been a slight easing of prices, which, however, are still good. The trade could have continued its boycott which it successfully maintained for over two months, taking only a minimum quantity of New Zealand butter. The present state of the market is a. triumph for free marketing, and in the opinion of some experts it is believed that the goodwill of the trade could be completely recovered if free marketing were established entirely—that is to say the restoration of the pre-control marketing conditions. A point that is causing some interest is the relation of the Control Board with its socalled official organ the Exporter. This monthly publication is the property of a company or syndicate, and while the newspapers of Wellington are not privileged to send representatives to repor. the proceedings of the Board, the Ex porter apparently enjoys the exclusive right to report the Board’s proceed ings. People want to know why this should be so, and who is profiting by this special procedure. The special meeting of the Board was held in March 14 when price-fixing was lifted, and we have had to wait for a. report of the proceedings—that is a somewhat detailed report—and one cannot make sure that the report is a tine and unbiassed record. “The Dairy Exporter,” though styled the official organ of the Dairy Control Board, really represents the vieds and opinions of Messrs Grounds. Goodfellow, Motion. Bryant and Thacker, who are all strong and persistent advocates of compulsory control. They are in a minority, yet their views get very full publicity. It is perhaps a somewharemarkable fact that the Government nominees on the Board. Messrs Hunt

and Winks, voted for the removal of price-fixing, and Mr Stronach Patersontbe Government representative on the London Agency, is also against price fixing. Mr Stronach Paterson is not jin ‘favor with the compulsionist, and in 'January last on the return of Mi-

Grounds it was decided to write to the acting-Prime Minister, asking for the removal of Sir Paterson from the London Agency. The reason given was that Mr Paterson was not supporting the policy of the Board, and that being in the position of a salaried executive the remuneration was expected to carry with it obedience to the instructions

of the Board. Mr Paterson in Octol>er last condemned the price-fixing police of the Board, and gave reasons for his views. The Prime Minister, who was then in London, concurred in those views and so did Mr lorns, and they were perfectly right. The question of the relation of The Dairy Exporter to the Dairy Control Board is likely to be raised in Parliament.