MARKET CONTROL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 638, 16 September 1933, Page 6

MARKET CONTROL

impdrters' scheme PROPOSALS VIEWED WITH SUSPICION BY FARMERS A FURTHER PROTEST In the course of a further article upon the eontrol of dairy produce imports to Britain the New Zealand Dairy Producers Free Marketing Association says: — The full significance of the proposals made in thfe name of the Importers' Association in London for the regulation and eontrol of the marketing of New Zealand butter and ehetse has been somewhat obscured by the fact that they have come from United Kingdom importers — the people who were so strongly opposcd toi the absolute eontrol measures of the New Zealand Dairy Board in 1926-27. On the face of it, it would seem that the lion has lain down with the lamb, and that United Kingdom importers have come to see such advantages to New Zealand producers in regulation and eontrol of the marketing of dairy produce that they have been moved to put forward a eontrol scheme of their own initiative. This cxtraordinary change of front has, however, an explanation, and the explanation is that there is an alliance between the Dairy Board and members of the Importers' Association. The New Zealand Dairy Board, or its rcpresentatives, has put proposals beforo ihe Importers' Association, and members of the latter have seen an eppnrtunity to submit to a scheme whieh will suit the Dairy Board and at the same time bring grist to the inill ••£ the importers. How Started The story behind the cabling to New Zealand of the Importers' Ass;.r:mion's proposals starts with" the departure for London of Mr. W. A. Iorns, chairmap of the Dairy Board, armed with a request from the board to make investigations in London in conjunction with the Importers' Association with a view to securing a new marketing system. Mr. Iorns, anxious to be able to announee, on 1>L return ho New Zealand, that he h.-itj " cn able to accomplish someth.ing worth while for the producers, made proposals to the Importers' Association for a new marketing system, under which certain restrictions and eontrol would be exereised by the board. The matter was referred to a sub-committee, and this sub-eommit-tee saw a means of meeting Mr. Iorns and at the same time safeguarding importers' interests. A hurried meeting of the Importers' Association was called, the proposals were adopted and cabled to New Zealand. What Importers Gain An examination of the oabled proposals shows what the importers will gain from the scheme. AU Ntw Zealand butter and cheese exports are to be taken over by the board and allocated among those selected, so that new business will be brought to their doors without any trouble or expense to them in the getting of it. The securing of business in New Zealand by United Kingdom, importers, through the maintenance of agencies in the Dominion, is a matter of very considerable expense to them, and they have also to contend with the competition of New Zealand concerns. Under the present proposals, they dispose of this competition and get the business handed over to them by the Dairy Board on a fixed commission basis, giving them an assured instead of a hazardous income. Not Spontancous This shows a very different light on the situation, and shows that the proposals cabled to New Zealand are not a spontaneous effort on the part of the importers to make constructive proposals in the cause of the Ncw Zealand dairy farmtr. It is nothing more than a roundabout attempt by the Dairy Board to regain complete eontrol of marketing. It is known that some of the most importr.nt United Kingdom importers are strongly opposed to the proposals, but they are in a different posiiion bccause their association has c >mmitted itself to the Dairy Board on the matter. It is obvious that if they n.ake U.eir disagreement public they ar-e poi, likely to find favour with the Dairy Board when the board comes to select its privileged agents fr-m the ranks of the United Kingdom importers. When the selection is over, ,\P chosen ones are established, ph i>- v:il »e protests enough, but ;!«•-»• v.;,; be of little use when the liler'y of New Zealand dairy factories to market their produce in their own way has passed also.