The Waikato Times TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1938 CONTROL OF MARKETING

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20524, 14 June 1938, Page 6

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1938 CONTROL OF MARKETING

The Primary Products Marketing Act was such an innovation that it created general interest. The discussions in Parliament were followed closely, and probably a larger proportion of the people know more about the details of that Act than they do of any other item of legislation in the past few years. There was a rather heated passage during the debate, as to whether it gave the Government power to apply the guaranteed price system to all primary products, hut the matter was virtually settled when the Prime Minister stated that he had received advice from those who drafted the Bill that it was confined to dairy produce. A member recalled the fact that the tobacco-growers had asked for a guaranteed price and Mr Savage replied that it would require further legislation to give effect to the request. It could not be done under the Bill. The Speaker ruled that the measure was “designed principally and essentially to deal with dairy produce and certain products associated with dairy produce. ’’ That was accepted by the producers generally although Mr Hamilton drew attention to the power conferred with regard to the control of produce that might not be the property of the State. The position, however, was made quite definite when an amending Bill was introduced last year. The Minister explained that one clause gave the Government power to “take over foodstuffs,” and that the procedure would be the same as in the case of dairy produce. It is under these extended powers apparently that the Department may take control of the potato trade. The president of the Farmers’ Union has protested, on the ground that no individual or organisation authorised to speak for the growers had made any request for State interference, and it will be for the Minister to explain the nature of the representations said to have been made to him. If they should have coma from only a small section of the growers then the majority will certainly have just ground for complaint. There are on record statements hv the supporters of the Government that it is not proposed to socialise anything except at the request of the people concerned. Mr Nash has stated that a plan is being devised for the marketing of surplus potatoes, but nothing has been heard about the wishes of the growers being ascertained, and that would be a reasonable thing. Those concerned in the trade have developed a good market in South America for certain kinds of potatoes, and probably could extend it steadily. It is a difficult crop to grow, and very easily damaged, but it will be for the Minister of Marketing to show that it is at the request of the industry as a whole that any State control is applied to marketing it. He has expressed his confidence that the system of guaranteed prices would be so successful that “as soon as the full advantages in connection with dairying are seen” others would want to be included. Unless Mr Nash can show that this proposed extension is made with the consent of the potato -growers he will have proved that State acquisition of all primary produce can be imposed at any time, and without those engaged in the industry even being consulted. The amount at stak« in connection with potatoes may not be large but the principle involved is important.