EXPORT CONTROL BILL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4600, 12 September 1923, Page 4

EXPORT CONTROL BILL.

APPROVED BY RUKUHLL “That this meeting of dairy farmers is entirely in sympathy with the movement to bring into force the Dairy Produce Export Control Bill, as passed by Parliament by a four to one majority,, and urges every dairy farmer to vote for it,” was the motion unanimously carried at Rukuhia last week by a meeting of farmers after the measure had been explained by Mr A. J. Heighway, acting assistand manager of the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Co., Lt,d. The fact that Parliament after the fullest possible enquiry extending through two sessions, and an exhaustive examination of evidence tendered by opponents of the measure had approved the Bill by such a majority, constituted, said Mr Heighway, the very best proof of the essential wisdom and cpmmonsense basis of the measure. Farmers could very safely follow that guide, and by voting for the machinery to be put into motion put themselves in the possession of an effective Board to improve the industry in-important features. The voting papers would be distributed by the Government electoral office in Wellington as soon as the list of suppliers now in course of preparation were available, and votes: had to be returned to that office by October 17. The Bill would give the producers of the country power to improve the shipping, advertising, and marketing of their produce. Freight rates of dairy produce at present were unduly high, but through being disunited the producers were unable to apply pressure for a reduction, The freight on butter was 100 per cent, above the pre-war figure, and that on cheese 130 per cent, higher. fit, was considered that 50 per cent, over prewar rates would be fair;,, and if that standard had been in operation ?.n the past season the producers' freight bill would have been 1 educed by £400,000 1 . Irregular shipping also inflicted loss upon the producers. In the case of cheese delay in the middle ofi the past season created a scarcity on the Home market,, with the result that prices soared, aftid afterwards heavily slumped when big shipments arrived, A steady price secured by regular shipments would have proved more profitable to the producers to the extent of, it was estimated, about £500,000. A Board able to speak with authority for the whole industry would be able to long term shipping contracts on an advantageous basis as to price and conditions of shipment. The desirability of unity to secure effective advertising was undoubted. At present, with the highest quality dairy produce in the world, New Zealand was not securing the full price due because of lack of effective publicity throughout Britain. No single concern could undertake an effective campaign because benefit would be spread over all and the cost over only a few. Without a Board to allocate cost over the whole industry this necessary publicity could not be undertaken. The opponents of the measure had been driven by,’ logic and common sense from one point to another until they rallied upon their last fighting point of “no compulsion.” This was a mere bogey. Compulsion applied in every phase of life. People were compelled, restricted, and regulated in one direction or another from the moment of their birth right througn life to their death, and the application of compulsory unity to the industry was only an extension of already existing principles. So far as marketing was concerned, the fullest success of the scheme would depend upon its administration. Those responsible do not intend to embark upon any ridiculous experiments. Their intention was to build upon and im!prove already existing satisfactory avenues of distribution. London distributing houses of standing and integrity were prepared to co-operate with the Board in organising a sound scheme. Producers recognised that their distributive outlets were necessary and could not be-replaced. But the activities of the speculator could very well be restricted.