CAN DO NOTHING.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 12 March 1927, Page 5

CAN DO NOTHING.

Press A86oc)ation.)

j STATEMENT BY COATES.

(Per

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Prirae Minister to-night made a statement on the position of New Zealand butter on the London market which he described as far from satisficatory ancl giving caxxse for concern. He desired to make it clear that neither he nor the Government could intex*fere with the exercise by the Board of its statutory functions. When in London in October, he said, he had xnet a deputation from practicaliy all the interests that had for years been handling New Zealand dairy produce in the United Kingdom. On October 27th he telegraphed the ActingPrixne Minister his considered views on the question which were made public, 8 and which he understood, were not acceptable to the Daix*y Control Board. Following a decision -of the Board a further meeting took place between himself and the various interests concerned, with the result that a coxrimittee consisting of representatives of the Dairy Bo'ard and the interests involved was set up to facilitate, as far as possible, arrangexnent for the disposal of New Zealand products. He understood that that committee was still opex-ating. The latest 'advices x'eceived by the Government indicate considerable hoStility on the part of the trade to the policy of price fixation, although additional causes bringing about the present difficulty were the general trade situation and the decreased pui'chasing power of the people owing to the long duration of the coal strike; also, this season5s operations had been greatly prejudiced 'by the necessity of quitting approximately 600,000 boxes of butter held in store at the beginning of the season, for the accumulation of ' which the Dairy Bo'ard was not responsible. Although the dairy producers

were the xxiost directly concerned yet, in view of the magniture of Ihe intex*ests at stake the welfare of the whole Dominion was deeply involved, and he strongly deprecated the introduction of party political feeling. He hoped no attempt woxild he xxiade to do so. He saw no reason to niake any change in seCing to the maintenance of the high standard of quality by the Board, to axrange transport, insux--ance ancl storage charges, and to supervise the marketing in the old World. The Government would be only too glad' to assist the Board. if asked, xix finding a solution of the present and any future difiiculties conneeted with the xuax'keting of our dairy pi'oduce.