BUTTER CONTROL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5094, 28 February 1927, Page 2

BUTTER CONTROL.

MR. MYERS’ CRITICISM.

BOARD CHAIRMAN IN REPLY.

Mr M. Myers, K.C., in addressing the Rotary Club in Wellington on Wednesday last, made some 'fairly strong criticism of the price-fixing policy of the Dairy Produce Board. Speaking generally, Mr. Myers drew attention to the great disparity in price between what the producer received and what the consumer is called upon to pay for New Zealand produce, sold in England ; and, speaking particularly, Mr Myers, dwelt on the alienation of the goodwill of British provision distributors of New Zealand dairy produce, which he attributed tn accumulation of stocks (even at ultimate loss to holders), and arbitrary price-fixing of butter. A NOT UNUSUAL ERROR. Mr William Grounds, chairman of the Dairy Produce Board, being in Wellington, opportunity was taken by a Press representative to ascertain his views of Mr Myers’ statements. Mr Grounds said he was surprised to notice that “Mr Myers seems to have fallen into the not unusual error of judging the state of England by what is seen and heard in the West End" of London. Does he imagine that his apple-selling observations indicate the general level of sales of New Zealand fruit in England ? I saw West End circles where it •might easily be concluded that there was no coal strike at all. I can only imagine that it was while recalling the atmosphere of such circles that Mr Myers said ‘The statement made some months ago : that the position was affected by the coal strike was untrue," otherwise the statement is grotesque.

EFFECT OF THE COAL STRIKE'. “Politicians and economists have roughly estimated the national loss accruing from the coal strike at between £40'0,000,000 and £600,000,” added Mr Grounds, and, continuing, he said : “Are we asked to believe that this did not affect the purchasing power of the people ? Throughout the whole of the three months I spent in England commercial travellers, in practically all lines, who were working in industrial areas made one general report: ‘No business, no money,’ some declaring that they had never passed through such a disheartening time.

“I am far from saying that, the coal strike caused all the trouble. It was contributed to by th& holding policy of many factories, when supplies were taken entirely from the market, while the accumulation of stocks was accentuated by the increased production resulting from an exceptionally good season experienced by Britain and Northern Europe generally. “ THE CAUSE IS SOUND.”

“These are disabilities that we inherited at the institution of the board’s palicy, and, like the cricket team that loses the toss for innings, we do not whine because the wicker is not as good as it might have been. We have to win through*, and shall do so because the cause is sound.

“This commercial and professional opposition to farmers organising a supervision df their own business has usurped most platforms, and now they have seized Rotary. Must all ideals bow before them ?" asked MiGrounds in conclusion.