The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1926. CO-OPERATION AND COMPULSION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1926. CO-OPERATION AND COMPULSION

. The fur-reaching interest which Is being taken in tiie proposed policy of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board is evidenced by the discussion • that took place in the House of Commons lately. During the debate on ! the Board of Trade estimates, Mr A. V. Alexander, a Labour member, and Sir Ji. W. Hamilton strongly criticised and protested aainst large supplies of produce being controlled by irresponsible boards and committees such as existed in New Zealand. On the other band, Sir Philip Cimlilfe Lister, President of the Board of Trade, enu merated the advantages of pooling, such as uniform grading. improved marketing, continuity of supply and avoidance of speculation. He also pointed out that Control Boards were not peculiar to the Empire, Californian lruit and Danish bacon being similarly marketed. The question evidently arose as the result of pleas j made by some members of the House for the developing of trade with Rus--1 si a, and the granting of preferences to Russia which are not even enjoyed bv the Dominions. It is quite correct, as stated by Sir Philip Cunliffe Lister, that a number of organisations are in existence to-day which by pooling have developed a co-operative system of marketing that has given certain advantages to both producers and consumers. It should be understood, however, that these marketing associations (as they are" generally called! with their pools, differ greatly in principle from the system proposed by the New Zealand Dairy Board. It may bo said that these marketing associations, which are in existence in various countries to-day, represent the truest and highest type of co-operation. They are of a purely voluntary nature and are founded on sound commercial lines and principles. An incentive to progress and efficiency, is essential. to their existence, for they exist purely on their merits, and possess neither Government backingpior statutory authority. The proposed policy of the New Zealand Dairv Board, on the other hand, remarks the “Manawntn • Times” violates every principle of true I co-operation, as is only, too erident by I the state the New Zealand dairy in- I

dustry finds itself in to-dav. There exists no objection to the formation of voluntary pools of butter and cheese, or any other of our primary products, and such voluntary pools under efficient management, would no doubt do a great amount of good. But, unfortunately for the industry, the New Zealand Dairy Board has not yet learned to differentiate between co-operation and compulsion. Where a truly co-operative marketing scheme would, no doubt, prove highly beneficial and successful, it should he apparent by now to the most enthusiastic Supporters of 'absolute control, that no compulsory scheme will ever succeed in New Zealand. The obnoxiousness and iniquity of any compulsory pooling and marketing .scheme so serenely overlooked by New Zealand legislators at the time. have been fully recognised by other countries. Australia, for instance, which has followed our control legislation very closely, lias carefully and wisely omitted the compulsory clauses. Certain statements made by the Australian Prime Minister have been quoted by way of inference that he is supporting the compulsory principle underlying the New Zealand legislation. That this is not so was clearly shown in a recent interview which Mr A. H. Mack roll, President of the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce, had with the Australian Premier. Mr Bruce told Mr Mack roll that ho was totally opposed to any compulsory clauses such as New Zealand possessed in its Act, and that lie would not stand having such powers given the Control Boards in Australia, but that any control of produce had to he done voluntarily by the people concerned. Future events will show that if peace and harmony are to be restored to the primary industries in New Zealand, the repeal of tlie compulsory powers as possessed under the present control leislation will become absolutely essential. Co-operation in New Zealand will in the meantime have received a chock and a set-back, from which it will take years to fully recover.