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Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1927, Page 2

Tiik proposal of price fixing for dairy produce lias been .dropped suddenly hv the Dairy Control Board. This is at mice an admission of failure in the action taken and a reversion of the policy which was pursued in the face of much expert advice to the contrary. Free trade Britain did not take kindly to the measure of control introduced which was in the direction of price fixing. The policy was an attack on accepted trading methods, and it could not he forced on the ordinary channels at Home through which business might lie done. The course was doggedly pursued to the imminent danger. not only of the tanning community. hut the country at large. A drop of two millions or more ns a direct loss to the farmers for their produce. would reflect seriously on the general trade and business of the Dominion. No doubt the financial house? which have had to nurse the baby in the interim had something to say in the crisis, and Mr Contes, just hack from the seat of trade war should have been an fait with the English situation. In all the circumstances the Dairy Control Board in the majority were forced to realise that discretion was the hotter part of valour, and it was essential to make a hold pronouncement before greater harm was done. The way is now paved, almost for business as usual on the open competitive market. The New Zealand article is a good one. and should he selling better than the Australian commodity which is lieing cleared without any difficulty. New Zealand can never hope to create a butter monopoly, a.nd on that account could never make price fixing a success. The buyer can turn always to other countries for supplies procurable along ordinary business and trading lines. The result of the late procedure should be a warning to the I Government to meddle less in trading |

affairs. l The leanings towards socialistic ideals are dangerous, because unless socialism wore universal it is foolish for one small country to attempt the ideals—-for disaster is inevitable, and the last stage is worse than the first. Xew Zealand has the best of right- and reason to demand a share of the British butter market on acceptable trading lines, and is not likely to he denied it. But the Xew Zealander cannot he the seller and buyer in one which price lining involved. Thai nc: minis for the disaster which was overtaxing the Dominion farmer, and il is to he liopcil the danger has been realised in time.