“ABSOLUTE CONTROL”

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1929, Page 8

“ABSOLUTE CONTROL”

OBSTACLE TO PB OGB ESS

A LONDON PROTEST

(Nineteen Twenty-Eight Committee)

“Tlie Australian and New Zealand •Vlcrcliaills’ Association passed a resolution noting with great concern the increasing tendency to form hoards to control the sale of produce exported to this side of the world which in the Association’s opinion greatly hampers trade and is detrimental to the producers’ interests ,especially as the sale of produce in other countries is not restricted and consequently results in those countries disposing of their produce ahead of Australia and New Zealand whenever the markets are over supplied.” (Australian Press Association.) Probably the above from * London, which appeared in the Australian and New Zealand newspapers a fortnight or so ago, has made hut little impression upon the surviving ardent friends of “Absolute Control,” who have persuaded themselves that the producers of the Dominion can market their own goods at the other end of the world more satisfactorily than can the merchants and distributors who constitute such organisations as the Autralian and New Zealand .Merchants Assoeia tion. Experience has taught them nothing, unless it is that “Absolute Control” has endowed a certain number c.if individuals with autocratic authority and so given them a certain measure of prominence in the commercial community. This is not to say that t,!ie promoters of this hazardous Mid costly and ineffective method of distributing the country’s produce arseeking merely their own personal interests. Their patriotism and sincerity may lie taken for granted. Bui these, unhappily, are not the only qualities and possessions needed for successful marketing.

SANE CONTROL

'i lie meat growers were the first h'-dy eif farmers to seek what may he called co-operative authority in rthe shipping and distribution of their pro luce. They were met generously by Parliament and were given all the authority and all the scope that sub cqnently were conceded to the dairy farmers, and fruit growers and .the honey producer's. The Meat Board, however, was made up mainly of farm «rs of Jong experience who had watched closely the development of theii 'ndustry in all its phases. Its mem hers realised that the power of “Absolute Control” given to it was intended to meet such rare emergencies a those that occurred during the Grea* War and during the days rtf reconstruction. It accepted the authority conferred upon it by the Legislature in regard to compulsion, but it ha 1 had neither need nor inclination t" exercise it. The Moat Board, in fact has followed the course the Legislature intended the hoards should, and all would have been well had the other bodies followed its example.

HTENTANCE AND IMPENITENCE

'the Dairy Control Hoard, contain ino; a, largo proportion of well-mean-•ng members who knew a great deal more about the production ol butter md .cheese than they did about the* “Hipping and marketing of these coindities. shortly after its institutio" dispatched a delegation on a flying visit to the other end oif the world t'» ■onni about the dairying business. The delegates: though they had seen nothing of the kind in England or Anvrjen or Denmark or any other part of Europe, returned with the obsession “Absolute- Control” was .absolutely necessary lor the adequate development of the dairy industry in the Dominion. Two years’ experience of this policy brought the producers to, their senses and last season they were free to do what they pleased with their own produce, subject, of course, to th * provisions maintained by an enlightened Board. The protest of the London representatives of the Australian an 1 Vow Zealand .Merchants is against the remaining “Absolute Control.” "What is going to he done about it? The merchants have their alternative in looking elsewhere for their supplies.