POLICY OUTLINED

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19659, 20 August 1935, Page 8

POLICY OUTLINED

DAIRY PRODUCE BOARD.

LOCAL MARKETING QUEBTION,

VALUE OF ADVERTISING,

A lucid analysis of the work and determined policy of the Dairy Produce Board was given toy the deputy-chai”-man, Mr C. P. Agar, of Christchurch, in an address to suppliers of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company which constitutes a special ward of the board, at Hamilton to-day. The methods applied by the hoard in the rehabilitation of the industry were detailed by Mr Agar while, the secretary, Dir T. Brash, stressed the advantages of organisation and leadership that had followed the reorganisation of the board. The company’s representative on the board, Mr W- E. Hale, presided. '

“No useful purpose would be served toy dweHing on the dark days of the industry prior lo the setting-up of the Royal Commission,” Mr Agar staled. The commission’s report was the foundation ior a very constructive policy. The old board had been wanting in team-work tout lie was encouraged by tlie attitude of the personnel of the new body which he thought was capable of leading the industry on to sounder ground. After tracing the constitution of the board, Mr Agar said that zoning was an appallingly difficult problem, expressing the opinion that the best method of approach to the problem was, where possible, to bring about improvement toy voluntary, arrangements, in response, to the representations of .the Herd-testing Association the hoard had stated its willingness to extend statutory powers, to iho association but members liad felt that .'the overhead expehses could not be incurred. However, if the Government would And £3OOO a year to cover the expenses then the board was prepared to .take the herd-testing.under its wing" and give it statutory recog: nilion. Work of Resparoh. “The uncertainty of the allocation of the Government subsidy - had reacted on the results received from research,” said Mr Agar- "It has now been agreed to make a grant for research work over three years.’ This will enable the research officers to concentrate on the problems affecting the industry and at'the, end of the period tlie hoard will be able to sect whether it is getting value for its money. "We know that we have had troubles with our cheese- hut the butter we have exported lias, with one exception, been splendid and it has the reputation of being the best in the world. However, there had been some disturbing-cables regarding the appearance of mould and this could be traced lo the peeled saranac box. Accordingly the board was compelled to prohibit this type of box and from the reports which are to come from London regularly the position in regard lo the sawn saranao "'ill be further considered. The trouble apparently arises from the thickness of tlie timber used hut, if the board finds that the sawn type is making trouble, it will be eliminated-”

Describing the advertising service as excellent, Mr Agar gave an instance of one campaign of six weeks which had resulted in 200 additional retailers stocking New Zealand butter. Mr Agar said that a lower rate of marine insurance had been obtained, representing a saving of £20,000 to the industry while the beard had endeavoured to arrange for the monthly arrival of produce in London. It was further hoped that with the greater shipping facilities at -their disposal the board would probably achieve a basis of weekly arrivals, so feeding the market regularly and eliminating erratic suply which played into the hands of the speculator.

Local Market Problem.

One of the major problems facing the board was the question of controlling the, local marketing of butter and cheese. It was not so simple a proposition as appeared hut the desire of the industry was so uniformly expressed that the board was bound to bring forward some policy which would prove to the betterment of tho existing situation'Mr Agar referred to the North and South Island pools in operation and said that the local marketing scheme might best be performed by a system of licensing or by the Dairy Board on behalf of the industry. The scheme should he designed on a basis which would prevent the reintroduction of secret commissions, secret rebates and the cutting of prices. However, only 16 per cent- of the Dominion’s dairy produce was sold on- the local market and care had to be exercised in formulating a control scheme that would not detrimentally affect the 84 per cent of the produce that went overseas. -Some time would he taken before the details of the scheme appeared as the solicitors who had the task of preparing the necessary legislation would require some weeks for the work.

Overseas Visits.

" The marketing conditions in the United Kingdom have to be learned,” declared Mr Agar replying to criticism that members of the hoard should gain a practical insight inis the Home markets. “ 1 feet very sorry when a producer -says in essence: ‘You do the job on my behalf hut 1 am not going to let you learn it.’ I sincerely hope that in due course each member will, have the opportunity of visiting Hits market and investigating its problems.” Elaborating the Utility of the existing market regulations, the speaker said that they had enabled the hoard to gain valuable knowledge .which would be a sure foundation on which to base a policy after this season. The board would go forward slowly but surely. ” 1 am of the opinion that the big problems that have been before dairying for many years are to be tackled and 1 hope to be long enough associated with the industry to see thorn attempted and overcome,” commented Mr Brash in a brief supplementary address. " Schemes such as herdtesting and farm dairy instruction should tic on a national basis and tho assistance of such a great organisation as the New Zealand Dairy Gom- ■ puny is needed. It- is impossible to think of any marketing scheme being carried through wilh’out the support of Iho company which lias always been prepared to undertake any work which was for the good of Hie industry as a whole.” Votes of thanks were accorded the speakers-