Dairy Company Interests

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 63, 17 March 1944, Page 3

Dairy Company Interests

At a recent meeting of the National Dairy Federation, it was decided to make further endeavours to induce district Dairy Associations to become branch members of the organisation. While dairying was the most efficiently organised primary industry in the Dominion—and this organisation commences right from the individual farmer through his dairy factory and district associations—this will not avail, it was pointed out, unless the industry in the final count, could speak with a united voice and through one recognised channel, on matters affecting its welfare. This, unfortunately, was not the case at the present time and there was a growing tendency for institutions not solely concerned with dairying, or representing sectional interests, to voice opinions and put forward claims which cut the ground from under the feet of those legitimately appointed to protect the welfare of the dairy farmer. Even with the best intentions there was a grave danger of disrupting the stage of unity already achieved, by having too many voices which only served to confuse and provide a convenient means of side-stepping for politicians and officials charged with the conduct of the affairs of the industry. The advantages of having one mouthpiece were obvious and that could be achieved only through an organisation such as the Federation which was concerned with dairying' and nothing else. These arguments were placed before a meeting of the executive of the Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies’ Association by Mr. S. Parsons (vicechairman) and Mr. C. Backhouse (secretary) of the Federation but pending the latter sending a list of companies already members of the Federation, nothing was done. Some members of the Association thought the Federation was only a duplication—that the Dairy Board already spoke as the mouthpiece of the industry. Following a detailed explanation of the employees' superannuation scheme by Mr. F. Parsons and Mr. C. Backhouse, of the Dairy Federation, it was decided to recommend companies to give closer consideration to the matter.