PRODUCE CONTROL.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16800, 19 May 1926, Page 8

PRODUCE CONTROL.

NOT LIKED IN ENGLAND. I LABOURITE CO-OPERATOR’S VIEW. (Reuter.) LONDON, May 17. ];i I! n * I louse of Commons’ debate on Ihe Hoard of Trade estimates, Mr Alexander (a Labourite and Cooperator) said the eo-operativc societies in nowise liked the outlook arising from the proposed operations of the New Zealand Control Board. They were of opinion that the effect of control would he to raise prices to the British consumer. The hoard would control importers on this side, which was an important matter, because 22 pei’ cent, of our hotter and J i per cent, of our cheese came from New Zealand. If it was going to function to Hie delrimenl of British traders, the Board of Trade, ought, to make representations In the Dominion Gnvcrntnenl. Mr Alexander, remarked, incidentally. that Siberian and Argentine butlers were improving in finality and would compete wi III increasing severity willi New Zealand. In dealing wi Ila Ihc question of Itic safeguarding of industries. Sir B. Hamilton, Liberal member for Orkney, protested against commerce being in the hands of irresponsible committees which were not bound by laws of procedure or rules of evidence. Thai eoursc, he said, weakened (tie .authority of Parliament. The country should know what was being done in regard 1o any change in the fiscal system instead of its being relegated to committees. Sir Robert Horne, Conservative member for Billhead (Glasgow), referring to jdeas to develop trade with Russia, said to grant something In Russia in preference lo Ihc Dominions would simply tic madness. Sir Philip Citnlilfc-Lisler, President or the Board of Trade, replying to criticisms, said control hoards were a natural devctopmenl and were sound in principle. Be enumerated Bio advantages of pooling, nolahly uniform grading, improved marketing, continuity of supplies and avoidance of speculation, ire said lie was sure any attempt to withhold supplies without a monopoly (and there was no question of that) would be bound to defeat its own object. . 1 Not only was the. control hoard policy sound, said Sir Philip, but it benefited both ilie consumers and Bio producers. Moreover, these boards were not peculiar lo the Empire. Practically the whole of the fruit of California and the bacon of Denmark were similarly marketed in Britain. The Economic Committee could explore the advantages of the control hoards, also its disadvantages if any existed. The events of the past fortnight had emphasised that it was absolutely vital that all efforts should he devoted to the settlement and building up of trade. British manufacturers should i be ready to install ihc best plants possible and there must be a response on the part of the workmen to justifv the expenditure. " Sir Philip said he would continue the “Buy British Goods" campaign. Be was convinced the country was going to practise it and thus create ‘employment at Borne and increase the trade balance available for investment and development, particularly in Empire markets. The sale of British goods was helped by the reduction of prices, also by British prestige which he believed "was to-day higher than ever. There was great admiration of Britain everywhere and they could use that prestige lo advance in the world markets and redress a great deal of the loss which otherwise might come from the recent industrial upheaval. COURT PROCEEDINGS. BOTH PARTIES THINKING. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The institution of Court proceedings in connection with the dairy control controversy seems to have set both parties- thinking. While the issue rested with the politicians ,it was mainly a matter of bluff, but now it is on its way to a legal tribunal il has assumed a much graver aspect. The Dairy Board lias declared that nolhing can stay its preparations for the Initiation or absolute control on August 1, and that it will proceed ns if there were no possibility of its authority being in any way impaired. Tile Court proceedngs. however, will not bn delayed beyond the lirst week in July, and while the pleadings are sub jiidicc ihc Board scarcely can disregard their existence. There is a rumour about to the effect that the Minister of Lands, whose opinion on a question of this kind would count for a great deal with his colleagues, does not approve of Mr Grounds’ uncompromising policy, and holds that, no further steps towards absolute control should bo taken until a new Board has been elected on a broadly based franchise.