MARKETING PRODUCE

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 7

MARKETING PRODUCE

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The full significance of the proposals made In the name of the Importers’ Association In London for the regulation and control of the marketing of New Zealand butter ami cheese has been somewhat obscured by tile fact that they have come irum United Kingdom importers—the people who were so strongly opposed to the absolute control measures of the New Zealand Dairy Board In 1926-27. On the face of It, ii would seem that the Hon has lain down with the lamb and that United Kingdom importers have come to see such advantages to New Zealand producers In regulation and control of the marketing of dairy produce that they have been moved to put forward a control scheme of their own Initiative.

This extraordinary change of front has, however, an explanation, and the explanation is that there is an alliance between the Dairy Board members and members of the Importers’ Association. The New Zealand Dairy Board, or Its representatives, has put proposals before the Importers’ Association, and members of the latter have seen an opportunity to submit to a scheme which will suit the Dairy Board and at the same time bring grist to ‘the mill of the importers. An examination of the cabled proposals shews what the Importers will gain from 'the scheme. All New Zealand butter and cheese exports are to be taken over by-the board and allocated among those selected, so that new business will be brought to their doors without any trouble or expense to them in the getting of It. The seourlng of business in New Zealand by United Kingdom Importers, through the maintenance of agenoies in the Dominion, is a matter of very considerable expense to them, and they have also to contend with the competition of New Zealand concerns. Under the present proposals they dispose of this competition and get the business handed over to them by the Dairy Board on a fixed commission basis, giving them an assured instead of a hazardous inoome. i

This throws a very different light on the situation, and shows that the proposals cabled to New Zealand are not a spontaneous effort on the part of the importers to make constructive proposals in the cause of the New Zealand dairy farmer. It Is nothing more than a roundabout attempt by the Dairy Board to regain oomplete control of marketing. It Is known that some of the most Important United Kingdom importers are strongly opposed to the proposals, but they are in a difficult position because their association has committed itself to the Dairy Board on the matter. It is obvious that if they make their disagreement public they are not likely to And favour with the Dairy Board when the board comes to select its privileged agents from the ranks >of the United Kingdom importers. When the selection Is over and the chosen ones are established there will be protests enough, but these will be of little use when the liberty of New Zealand dairy factories to market their produce in their own way has passed also. —We are, eto., N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCE FREE MARKETING ASSOCIATION. Whangarel, September 14, 1933.