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Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1925, Page 2

The dairy control question is exercising much concern all through the Dominion. It is a subject on which there is natch divided opinion, and the controversy promises to he endless. It seems to be a case for marking time till muttiers settle theinsclvcrs more definitely. The step is a very important one, dealing as it does with a business representing a turn over of upwards of twenty millions. And it is in the nature of a great experiment. It is undeniable that the dairying industry has been built up from vew small beginnings by trading in an o market. It cannot he hoped to stabilise prices however desirable that may be, for the laws of supply and demand rule the markets of the world, and it is world prices which count seeing that Xew Zealand must go to the world markets to dispose of the surplus output of butler. And that surplus is going to he an increasing quantity. New Zealand oil the average has reaped : very good harvest with its butter trade. The average position of the dairy farmer is much in advance of what- it on was, and the butter produce has been the helpful factor to that end. It i desired of course to get the best price possible, hut that price is governed in the main by Tooley street rates. How far direct control can govern that market remains to he seen. Much of the commodity at Home is bought lor speculative purposes. The butter-men Inly for profit, and they guage the price by their judgment of the market and its pc Abilities. If this great buying agency were to turn against Xew Zealand butter as a protest against an attempt to force up prices—which action is not outside the hounds of possibility—the butter of ot-he? conn tries would come into favor, li a butter war. the Xew Zealand commodity is not well enough established to meet successfully any combined action against it on the Home market. This needs special consideration, fo after all it is the crux of the position as affecting direct control. But there is the aspect Fur the fanner, who gives up control of hi; property once it passes into storage for cxroit. He may not exercise bis own judgment in the matter, hut must abide by tin decision of others w ho will not cnn.sidei individual interests, hut the mass concern. Qualities and past reputation will go for very little then, and many special oversea, patrons will lie lost. The outside influence operating against a Xew Zealand combine can be vert serious, and may destroy the hope* and expectations bound up with the new scheme. The farmer may line! his usual opportunities for a ready finance

gone, and his system ol doing business entirely altered. It is a revolutionary change, and such a marked dislocation might atl'cct the industry very scrim-sly. .Seeing that the dairy industry is not being ruined or held hack l>v the present system, and that dairy farmers enjoy a degree of opulence not previously possible, it seems unnecessary t:> change so advantageous a system without a serious thought and consideration for all the possibilities.

If KADKItS llilVC been provided with a liberal quantity of the Australian and English comment on tlio result of the tost cricket- matches. Australia lliu won four out of the live games, hilt England is taking the gruelling like good sports. The victory is not unpleasant. keen use after all the honors Inn go t) another part ot the lun] ire. Sport within the Umpire plays a great part in bringing tile scattered peoples mure and more together. Cricket in particular has had a special vogue affecting England, Australia, ami South Af: iea. On occasions there have been interchanges in India, but there the team lias been essentially English, though India has produced a great and notable cricket in Kangi Singh. As to the late tests, the Sydney “Herald" has given a sane and sensible review o the great contest wherein there were many surprising fluctuations of fortune. As the paper remarks possible in the outlier matches the visitois had less than their share of the lock of the game. Australia was more fortunate in winning the toss and selecting its wicket. But even in gamewhere England seemed to he on the high read to victory, the Australian players were able to turn the tables and rob the Englishmen of their victory. The Home papers dealing with the first two tests have come to hand and there were stages when the English press and critics were looking forward with confidence to victory. But the stalling play of Australia denied the prize. In the last match Australia •showed distinctive superiority. This game has become notable because of the discovery of Oiimmett, a new bowler for Australia. Xew Zealand may sit up and he interested here for the new player to receive so large a share of the limelight was horn in Dunedin and displayed his first- talent in erieket in Wellington. Grimmett, too, is a distinctive howler, not fiery like the immortal demon. Spolforth, hut tiickev and difficult without apparently appearing so. Grimmett was so successful on a wet wicket that he may lie deemed a certainty for the next Australian XT for England. The cable news of the progress of the games was so complete that the varying fortune of the matches was well told and could be followed easily. Tato appears to have come to the lore in the end. eclipsing the redoubtable Hobbs and sturdy batsman. Sutcliffe. The changing fortune of sport invariably brings along new names to conjure with, and when Australia goes forth again to give England an opportunity for satisfaction. the fortunes of the play will lie followed as closely as ever. But as Warner says. England will not ho pessimistic and w'ill boat Australia again. That is a sporting way to look at the prospect, and when next the teams meet may the better aide win.