DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL BILL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15322, 24 August 1923, Page 6

DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL BILL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The 5000 members of the Dairy Farmers' Union have watched with astonishment the organised efforts of various Chambers of Commerce to prevent the passing of the Dairy Produce Control BilL The leaders of this opposition, it should be noted, are directors of firms that have built up large and profitable businesses almost entirely out of commissions on farmers' stock and produce. It is natural, therefore, that these able business men should-combat any possible future curtailment of the commission opportunities they enjoy today. These gentlemen have such a weak case that they have carefully refrained from notifying supporters of the BUI that they were addressing Chambers of Commerce, and it is regrettable that members were led into passing adverse resolutions without hearing the other side. One Chamber of Commerce after listening to an opponent passed a strong resolution against the BUI, though from enquiries made it appears that only one member present had perused the Bill. It is obvious, therefore, that the resolution emanating from that Chamber was obtained through persuasive eloquence, and was not dictated by a fair, judicial, and considered review of the Bill. The opponents want the compulsory clauses of the Bill deleted on the grounds that they are "an encroachment on the rights of property and individual liberty." We could just as reasonably apply this objection to all the laws passed in this country, but it would be carrying argument to the height of absurdity. It is not proposed to curtail the opportunities of commission so long as those agents do not act in a manner prejudicial to the industry. But the Bill certainly gives the proposed Board power to take over the sale of our dairy produce if circumstances arise adversely affecting the price being received for that produce. The compulsory clauses so strongly objected to by Chambers of. Commerce may well be compared to the guns and ammunition -of an army. Take, them away and you have left a body of men without any means of defence. Remove the compulsory clauses of the Bill and you remove that which gives the dairy farmer the power to effectively defend himself against market manipulation, over-supply through irregular shipments, and many of the . price fluctuations brought about by lack of organisation. These opponents to the systematic organisation of the dairying industry profess to be disturbed by the fear that the passing of the Bill might result in lower prices for our produce. Their anxiety is somewhat akin to that of the cannibal who feared that his captive was not doing well on the food provided. The Dairy Farmers' Union would point out to business men that the industry is not asking the Government for monetary assistance in any shape or form. If such were the case the opposition of business men would be justified, but seeing that the industry is prepared to tax its produce to pay for the organisation it proposes to set up under the Bill, Chambers of Commerce whose members are not familiar with dairying conditions should not, condemn the measure at the instigation of interested parties. The Bill is - an honest attempt to provide for the organisation of the shipping, sale, and advertising of our produce, and to obtain the best possible freight and insurance rates, and as such should be given a fair trial. These are legitimate objects, and if they are attained the compulsory clauses of the Bill will not be brought into operation, but if we deleted these clauses the Board would have no real power and could not enforce its decisions. Its opponents want to turn the Bill into a bulldog with its teeth drawn, but it would be better to kill the Bill outright than subject it to the lingering death proposed by its opponents. It certainly proposes a new departure in commercial organisation; and as such must face the inevitable opposition of proprietary interests, and also those faint hearts who are afraid to depart from the beaten path even if that path is proving inadequate for the wants of those who use it. Dairy Farmers do not interfere with or criticise the objects of Chambers of Commerce because they are not conversant with them. The Dairy Farmers' Union asks for the same consideration from business men, and regrets that they should have been led into passing resolutions on a matter of which they have necessarily little knowledge.— We are, etc., DAIRY FARMERS' UNION.