WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET.

(Special to “ Guaidian.”)

WELLINGTON, September 13

Tire depression in the London butter market continues and at the time of writing New Zealand choicest salted hntter is quoted at Ills to lofis. which makes the middle price loos per cwt. On August 15 the quotation was 1755. so that there has keen a drop of 20. s in less than a mouth, and as the market is reported to be very quiet the probability is that prices will go lower. Twelve months ago the lowest price at the beginning of August was 10ns and the market advanced steadily to 108 k, and by the end of the first fortnight in September tlie average price had risen to 2025. Two years ago early in August the price was 100 s. hy the end of that month the quotation had risen to 20fis and reached 208 s by the first fortnight in September. Taking the latter date the prices were in 102 t. 208 s ; in 1925, 2025; and in 1920. lolls, a difference of Ids nor cwt compared wit’ 1 ' last year, and 52s com payed with two years ago. which must make the dairyman feel downhearted. I here is no dpubl that the policy of storing butter which lias been followed to an undue extent by many factories is in a large measure responsible lor I lie decline in values, but apart altogether from that the market, has nut displayed the strength it exhibited in the last two seasons. Tf hy holding up supplies and creating an artificial shortage the host price obtainable was 1 < -~s one may well wonder what the price would have been had the supplies not been held up. The hard facts must lie faced, and the outstanding fact is that the high prices ll;,it have ruled for some time past have gone, and dairymen must lie content: with a lower range of values, which all efforts of the Conirnl Hoard cannot prevent, and in this conneei ion it, is well to heal* in mind the considered opinion of the Imperial IvoiumiiC'oinmicree. This Committee reported:

"That foreign count Tics were making coiisiderahle efforts to recover and improve their pre-war trading position. M.osl likely in the next, few years competition would be more severe, notably from Argentina. Siberia. Russian and Baltic Statics, | M the competing northern countries wages and standards of living were relatively low. Our main conclusion is that both at Home and overseas it 1 will not he practicable t:> maintain the present standards of living amongst those dependent upon the dairy industry, unless (he farming itiTcrests. in order to meet such cutting prices as may come from increased competition, prepare without delay, for tho adoption of more efficient and cheaper methods of production.” It cannot he said that the producers are neglecting efficiency and increased production, hut they are suffering from other handicaps such as excessive Customs duties, high wages and heavy taxation and a variety of other disabilities. LABOUR'S DEMANDS.

At the sittings of the Arbitration Court in 'Wellington the Motor Mechanics’ Union, the Plumbers’ Union and the Metal Workers’ Union have filed claims for increase in wages, for -it) hours or five days' work a week, and piecework is in lie prohibited. Flore we have illustrations of the efforts that are being made by the unions •In stabili--- the limitation of energy. That ill is represents a eonteinotible species of dishonesty is not realised, for it- i- dishonest to got sometTiing for nothing. It is becoming increasing! v evident that the time for reviewing the scope'and the functions of the Arbitration Court is near. Air 1!. f . .V.iirpbv. Professor of Economies at Victoria Cnivor-itv College, in a recent lecture staled that- “ a court was 100 clumsy for th- rcrulation of industry. introducing a dead level of uniformity. and encouraging (lie idee that wage.- depend on the judge’s fiat and not on the economic situation. As a mai lt r of fact, it is an economic shock absorber, and tries to give an award such as the parties if reasonable would cenie to hv mutual agreement. R breeds a litigious spirit and turns union secretaries into industrial barristers, with about as much concern for justice as- a legal advocate, it assumes as a basic principle that master and man are fundamentally at variance and get no jurisdiction until a dispute arises. It is inconsistent with joint control or continuous consultation, along which lino future peace seems to lie.” The Professor thinks that the State should lay down minimum standards of wages and conditions generally, ami above that leave the parties to fight it out. sensibly recognising the possibility of stoppages, since they occur anyhow. The Arbitration Court Ims outlived its usefulness and should now be extinguished.