DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3639, 17 May 1927, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICS.

A QUESTION FOR MR. HOLLAND

What he termed the “campaign of misrepresentation” which is being carried out in regard to the attitude of the Prime Minister and (lie Government concerning dairy control was fully replied to by the Prime Minister in his speech at Dargaville last night. Mr Coates made particular reference to recent speeches made by the Leader of the Opposition, and made clear the attitude he adopted towards control on the occasion of his visit to London.

“I have been much interested in one new feature of the speeches recently delivered by the Leader of the Opposition,” said the Prime Minister, “and that is his sudden professed anxiety for the welfare of the primary poducers. In this connection may I ask him one question: ‘Why did he not display the same concern some 18 months ago in connection with the transport of the farmers’ produce to the Home markets? On that occasion, if I remember rightly, Mr Holland was not so anxious as to the effect of the disastrous shipping strike on the dairy producer of this country. I can say deliberately to-day that one of the main causes of so much of our butter accumulation in store in London last year was a direct result of the shipping strike, which led to a complete disorganisation of vital transport arrangements. In addition there was the great coal strike at Home, which had a very direct hearing on the demand for our dairy produce. Again, if my memory serves me correctly, Mr Holland said nothing and did nothing that contributed to a reasonable attitude being pursued in that connection,-.". nor did I remember any public repudiation by him of the notorious Mr Cook, whom we know now was closely in touch with Moscow throughout that lamentable industrial crisis.

“In my opinion there never at any time has been greater need for clear thought and careful action in the light of circumstances surrounding the dairy industry. I .suggest that our citizens, whether in country or town, should pause very carefully before seriously listening to the proposals of the Labour Party which Air Holland enunciates in the direction of Government control of the handling and distribution of food stuff’s. Such proposals are closely related to the already notorious planks of the Socialist platform—namely, the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange—a policy in my judgment fraught with danger, particularly to an agricultural and pastoral country like New Zealand.”

Mr Coates concluded by saying that lie desired to repeat what he had already told the country — namely, “That the opposition to the policy of minimum price fixation was overwhelming, not merely by traders, hut by consumers. There was also in addition imminent danger of losing that friendly co-op-eration which was so essential for the successful marketing of our produce. I feel sure that even Mr Grounds, who was staying at the same hotel in London as myself, will admit that on all occasions when we conferred together, I was keenly desirous as lie was that the Board’s operations in London should he successful, and in the best interests of our dairy producers, and that my counsel was always at his disposal whenever he sought it. As one who lias followed farming all his life, in which dairy farming has played no small part, I think my fellow-producers will do me the justice of believing that both as Prime Minister and as one of themselves, I am actuated only by a conscientious desire to enhance the welfare of the farmer and all other sections of the people. “I take this opportunity of adding,” concluded Mr Coates, “that in the event of the New Zealand DairyProduce Export Control Act again coming before Parliament, I am of the opinion that the word ‘control’ should be altered. This term creates an impression that tends to prejudice our products in certain markets. I suggest as an alternative that a more suitable term would be the New Zealand Dairy Producers’ Co-operative Marketing Board, or some other more appropriate designation.”