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Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1930, Page 4

The information supplied to the farmers at the meeting at iTie Town Hall on Tuesday last appeared to come as a pleasant surprise as to the operations of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Hoard. The Board at the outset appeared to make a false start by attempting to “control” the sale of the produce at Home. That was a failure, and this week we had Mr lorns’s admission that the factors in control were really supply and demand! He went further, and depreciated any■ attempt at with-holding supplies from the market to force prices up. His counsel was to accept market prices and keep the New Zealand product well on the market and in regular supply and use. His statement that by holding back for better prices enabled rival commodities to secure a footing, was*obvious, and a considerabl market could be lost thereby. The Produce Board is there essentially to watch the marketing of the New Zeeland commodity. It is well for some controlling authority to direct the subsequent business in the way of shipment and sales. That is the task of the Board, and it is an excellent example of the benefit derived by centralising the business in one common head. The savings have been very great, and naturally it is good business for the factories to contribute to support the Board financially—there is an excellent quid pro quo. Some surprise -was expressed at the good work done by the Board, suggesting that after all the doings of the Board in the interests of the farmer have not been followed as closely as they should, or the Board has been disposed rather to tide its light under the proverbial bushel. The visit of the Chairman of this occasion has been very illuminating. He recounted tbe gooJtl work done, and the attention to business proposed in tbe, future. The record given justified the vote of confidence passed in the. Board, and will be an encouragement for that authority to continue its good work. Mr Torus urged quality, as an essential part of prduction. With tbe growth of competition a good uniform article is of the greatest importance. Production is growing providing more hotter and cheese for the markets, and quality is the first essential to command a market. A new market is being developed in Canada with good results, and then, as in the United Kingdom, quality will (fount also. With the growing production, price levels must lower, and Mr lorn’s advice is to meet that sit-

nation with quality. While the Produce Board controls the marketing on tlie most advantageous rates for freights, insurance and storage, it is for the factories to control the producing costs, and we believe'm Westland there are possibilities of useful savings in producing costs by a reasonable system of centralisation which will further meet the drop in prices at Home.