TO AVOID A FALSE STEP

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 4, 6 January 1936, Page 6

TO AVOID A FALSE STEP

A most important subject which will engage the attention of the Government shortly is the new system proposed to be adopted in marketing dairy produce. In September the Dominion Dairy Conference approved by a large majority a scheme for group marketing to be brought into operation on the termination of the present marketing system this year. The Dairy Board and the Executive Commission of Agriculture have wide statutory powers to control marketing; but the Government cannot, for that reason, ignore the possible effect of the exercise of those powers. It cannot say: "This is a matter for the dairy people and we are not concerned." The welfare of the dairy industry concerns all the people of New Zealand, especially since the people have been in the past called upon to pay for assistance to the industry—and may be called upon to pay more in the future. In our news columns today we have set out the facts from both sides, so that the importance of the issue may be realised. We do not now desire to prejudice the case; but we think the statement of facts makes it amply clear that full investigation by the Government is called for. The new system involves radical change in marketing methods, and that change (with the element of compulsion) may lessen the goodwill that is outmost valuable asset in marketing. Moreover, it is claimed that the industry itself approved the plan after insufficient consideration and without comprehending all that it means. These facts alone, without the bearing which the Government's guaranteed prices policy may have upon (he scheme, make it essential that the Government should nl. once assume the responsibility which ii holds for New Zealand Id sen llinl. no false slcp

is taken,