ABSOLUTE CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 12

ABSOLUTE CONTROL

DAIRY BOARD’S SCHEME, EXPLAINED TO FARMERS. Further details concerning tho New Zealand Dairy Control Boards absolute control of marketing were given to the Dominion executive of tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union at Wellington by the chairman of the board, Mr W. Grounds, and Mr W. Gootlfellow, u member.

Mr Grounds explained that the Tooley Street merchants welcomed the scheme, and were prepared to advance credits upon shipments. lie believed that the in dustry was looking to tho board to go forward with the control of marketing. After all these years of striving, the cooperative system was upon its trial, and if they could not stand up to the ordeal they deserved to take a secondary place. Mr Goodfcllow said it was no experiment which the hoard was making. The method had been in progress in London for many years, and had worked satisfactorily. Dairy farmers need not have any fear that the board would not make them as generous advances us the merchants had done in tho past. In reply to tho president (Mr W. J. Poison), Mr Goodfcllow said dairy produce al ilomo was in the hands of the multitude of small dealers. It would not do to hold a largo quantity of butter or cheese in New Zealand. It was essential that the produce should he in London, in order that advantage could be taken of a favourable market. The question of holding back shipments would have to be handled with tho utmost care.

In reply to Mr R. D. Duxfield, Mr Good fellow said that he had known of New Zealand butter which had opened up in first-class condition in London after having been kept for 12 months.

“What guarantee have you that Tooley Street will keep the promises they have made?” asked Mr Poison. “You gentlemen were responsible for setting up the Dairy Control Board. You said some hard filings about tho gentlemen of Topley Strect, amongst them that Tooley Street was not giving you a fair deal.” Mr Grounds said that tho promises had been given by the Tooley Street merchants in sustained conversations over several weeks. To ask an English merchant to give a written promise was to ask him to stultify his honour, and would reflect more upon the person demanding such a pledge. Proceeding, Mr Grounds said the London market was governed by the weakest holder, or the man who had the least faith in tho existing condition of things. The merchants would prefer that there should lie something like co-ordination in marketing. Tho possibility was that one of the banks would act as a central clearing house, but all the banks would share under ihe scheme.

After Messrs Grounds and Goodfcllow had answered a huge number of questions, Mr R. D. Duxfield moved: “That the Dominion executive of tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union lias the. fullest confidence in the New Zealand Dairy t'onfrol Board.” The motion was seconded by Mr R. Dunn (Taranaki), and carried with acclamation.

Mr R. S. Chadwick (Dannevirke) said he wished to congratulate Mr Grounds and the members of the Dairy Control Board upon the successful position in which it had established the industry. Mr J. G. Anderson (Pelorus) also congratulated the members of the Dairy Control Board upon what the board hud accomplished for the industry. He would always heartily support the board so long us they proceeded upon the lines they were at present following. The president. (Mr \V. J. Poison) said (hat the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was solidly behind control. In fact, control had originated with the union.