The Gaurdian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 23rd. 1927. DAIRY CONTROL.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1927, Page 2

The Gaurdian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 23rd. 1927. DAIRY CONTROL.

It will not be surprising if the subject of dairy control is as prominent in the coming Parliament as it has been of I late outside. The contioversy as to I various aspects is still going oil and remains inconclusive. But it is now a special subject on the political platform. The Prime Minister had to defend himself against outside changes, and now Mr Holland has entered the lists and is bent, on supporting control as a cardinal feature of the Labor policy. Dairy control, however, it may fit in with the Labor political programme as part of the socialisation of production and marketing, is of more interest to the producers than being a mere factor in any party’s politics. It was argued before dairy control was attempted that for the benefit of the man in the dairying industry control would he to his financial benefit. Up to that point we had seen much of the success of co-operative dairying, and also independent dairying, but it is manifest that the success was not due to price-fixing as was attempted by control, hut by free marketing by the producers themselves. The measure of control, which was desirable as being of value, was in placing tho dairy produce on the world’s markets in the best manner possible, including economic transport. Savings in various directions were found to be possible in that direction, and a benefit was possible, but when an attempt was made to go further, by regulating supplies and prices, there was the effort to create a false position in demand and rates, and the scheme did not prove practicable. The success of control as it was practice's need be judged only by the

results to the industry, and we know full veil the effect was far from satisfactory. Political opinions in reviewing aspects of party policies, whether by the Prime Minister (Reform), or Air Holland (Labour) do not count. If

any attention is to be paid to political views, then the happiest and most consistent with results were expressed by the .member for Wanganui (Liberal). The welfare of the Dominion is so milch bound up with the success of the dairying industry i hat political views do not count. The real test, as we say. is Ihe I lenefit to the industry itself. Apart from the seasonal earning power of the individual dairy farmer, there is the sterling value to the country in the general effect on the Dominion. It is of moment that land values should he maintained, not bv artificial means, hut by productive returns. and as we have scon how control as practiced has made such a vital change for the worse, wo realise that the experiment was far too dangerous to risk further like experience. Playing for safety lirst: in this as in till matters, the wooing of the p'alform politician might well he discarded as a surplusage. There are other Dominion matters calling for his attention. In respect to dairy control results can he judged by the all-round effect on the industry, and there is unfortunately the opportunity to count the cost of the experiment. Dairying was a success before control came to he enforced in its entirety, and the definite return to those former conditions will give the greater confidence to the man on the land in the hotter assurance of prospects generally tinder free marketing.