WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

AUSTRALIAN MEAT COUNCIL.

(Special to “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON. Aug. 2

It was reported tliafc the Australian Meat Council is to be wound up. This collapse of the Council came before the Federal Parliament, and the Premier (Mr S. Bruce) stated that the collapse was not due to any failure to. pass enabling legislation, for such legislation lias been passed in Queensland and X.S: \V.. and Victoria had been ready to pass a similar measure. Under that legislation money had been raised by a levy in N.S.W. A poll was reeenii taken on the advisability of continuing the scheme. By an overwhelming majority the graziers in N.S.AV. voted against the continuance. As the indications were the same in Queensland, the Council decided that there was no alternative but to wind up. Air Bruce stated further that he had received representatives from sections of the meat industry that the Government •old take action to organise the industry. but the Government had declined to take such action, but would be prepared to give the producers every assistance if they organised themselves. TJe thought it very desirable that some sten should he taken to get an organisation to replace the Meat. Council. The Council ceased to exist on Saturday last. July 31st. There api>pars to be a good deal of self-reliance on the port of the graziers of Australia, who seem very restive in respect to any sort of control which is very different from the attitude displayed by New Zealand farmers, who seem to place considerable faitl) in compulsory control. This arises from the fact that the'farmers in the Dominion have no idea- of cooperation. even in their dairy factories they have to he hound, it is this inability to play the co-operative game that lias given rise to the demand for compulsory control in so many of the phases of production. In Australia it is apparently different, and therefore compulsion is not wanted. Even the Federal Government prefers, that the producers should organise 'themselves rather than that the Government use compulsion.. That is Very different from the attitude adopted by the Government of New Zealand, which seems quite willing to exercise compulsion.

DAIRY .CONTROL BOARD, People are wondering why the .Chairman of tbo Dairy Control Board (Mr W. Grounds) finds it necessary to rush away to London just now. The reason given for his pending departure is that it is necessary for him to consult, with tlie London agency on the’new marketing scheme. If that is a fact then the .stories we have been ..told about the plaps being definitely arranged for dealing with compulsory control is all moonshine. This shows the very great danger the producers are faced with through the actions of the Dairy Control Board. Unkind critics-assert that Air Grounds has found an excuse for being outside of the Dominion when the debate'on the amendment to tbo Control Act is under consideration. Apparently the members of the Reform Partv are to lie free to vote as they consider best in the interests of their constituents and not the Party, which makes it very probahle'that there will ho a hot debate, and it would not be surprising if compulsory control is postponed for twelve months. On this matter of compulsory control the Prime Afinister appears to be anxious to pursue a yes-no policy which is very irritating. It, is not 100 much to say that the Hon J. 0. Coates has Inst the confidence of the business community who voted pretty solidly for the Reformers. It is painful to bear such remarks as “be is dead.” or “be is a wasb-out”. from men who voted Reform. Coming back to ATr Grounds, be will be on the high seas on September Ist., when compulsion is to take effect, that is if Parliament allows it to go by the board, and if compulsion is to be postponed what is the use. of consulting about- marketing arrangements when tbo Board will have no control over the arrangements. The Control Bill and the Town Planning Bill will cause very bitter discussions in Parliament.