ABSOLUTE CONTROL AS SEEN BY OTHERS.

Shannon News, 6 March 1925, Page 4

ABSOLUTE CONTROL AS SEEN BY OTHERS.

AN INTERESTING REVIEW. It is decidedly interesting, to read the various comments on the Dairy Control Overseas Delegation’s report, which are riiakirig the rounds of the New Zealand press just now. Without exception, every paper urges a policy of moderation and contain at the sam e time paragraphs stressing the relative importance to the dairy indus. try not only to the producers but the Dominion as a whole. Papers such as ; the Wellington “Evening Post” which is most guarded when expressing a decided opinion, and the “Dominion” and “New Zealand Herald,” which may be regarded as representing more or less farmers interests, in their leading columns denounce unhestitatirigly the extreme measures indicated in the Delegation's report. “If we read this proposal correcty says the “Doininion” it means that the Dairy Produce Control Board is recommended by the delegation to take the sweeping step of coriipelling the whole of the dairy producers Of the Dominion to dispose of their produce through the Board. In other words,, that this newly.creat. ed Board with little or no experience or distributive marketing, and with practically no organisation at its disposal, should assume all the functions of the complex, highly organised, and more or less competitive agencies which at present handle our dairy pro. duce exports. This is, to say the least, a staggering- proposal. It in a; measure gives justification to those who opposed the dairy coritrol scheme on the ground that it, involved the possibility of some such hasty and ill-considered step, bringing incalculable injury to the dairying industry. _ “It may be hoped that the Dairy Produce Control Board, or the produc. ers ,by whom it is elected, will decisively reject this pafticulau proposal of the overseas delegation.” “The New Zealand Herald” which in most cases ’bows to any inspiration coming from the Waikato is equaly decided in denouncing the scheme. "The individual dairy-farmer would be well advised to ponder the magnitude of the operations involved," says the editor of this paper. "It should be remembered that transactions involving some £20,000,000 a year will be covered if this'brief blanket recommendation is given effect. A business of these dimensions cannot be lightly or easily taken over by any single organisation, especially when it would have to create all the elaborate machinery needed to handle the under, taking. Do those most affected really grasp what the proposition involves? Some of its certain effects can be understood in the light of what happened i with the purchasing organisations, during the war. That body known foi convenience as the B.A.W.R.A. is typical. It bought wool successfully enough. With more difficulty it sold; but while its purchasing operations ceased over five years ago, it has not yet succeeded in distributing all trie proceeds and winding up its business. , With such exam»es in hand, and with the consciousness that in no other country has primary industry taken so drastic a step, the dairy farmers should pause before endorsing this very serious recommendation. • There is ample work, and useful work, for the board to do without trying to transform itself into a Colossus, dom. inating the dairy produce markets of the world. This proposal to take over the whole duty of buying the output sounds alluringly simple. Very little consideration shows It to be less simple than it seems. The report of the delegation shows that there are many other tasks in which the board might legitimately engage. The regu. lation of shipments, to avoid gluts and ensure even distribution of supplies, is the one which commends itself. Even that limited measure of control would not be successfuly established without overcoming many difficulties. It is by striving for attainable success, rather than by undertaking a scheme so full of risk and so onerous in character. that the board may confer substantial benefits on the dairying industry.” From The Heart of the Waikato. ’Most interesting of all is an extract from "The Waipa Post’s” Saturday’s leading article. Speaking of the appointments to be made for the Board’s London office this paper makes the following significent statement: —“In certain usually well-informed quarters there is a disposition to plump for the personnel as follows: Mr. J. B. Wright, at present London representative of the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd.; Mr. W. Claud Motion, chairman of

directors of that company and a member of the Dairy Control Board, and Mr. lorns (Wairardpa), a member ot the Dairy Control, Board. In other quarters it is believed that Mr. P. J. Small Manawatu, Dominion president of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, is a probable for either the London office or to fill one of the vacancies on the Ddiry CdntrOl Board due to the appointment of either Mr. Motion or Mr. lorns to the London job. The whole position is distinctly interesting' at-the present juncture. Whether this will be the ultimate selection remains to be seen, but if it is so it should be a means of satisfaction to those interested principally in the “greatest i 06-operative company in the world. The heavy type ih ours, and by the greatest co-operative company in the World” is meant, of course; the “N.Z. Cooperative Dairy Company” at Hamilton. Coming from a paper in the heart ol the Waikato, and gener--1 ally weh.informed as to the happen. 1 irtgs in that district the statement will now be of interest to the producers in Manawatu. . &titong Our Sheep and DairyFarmers. Another splendid shower to freshen up pastures and crops—in the words of the man in the street —worth thousands of pounds to the farmer. There is, no doubt, the Present season stands out as one in a dozen and the wonderful growth reflects to a remarkable degree on prices realised for stock ot all kinds. Store lambs, which, when a dry spell is experienced this time Of the year, have tb be sacrificed at any price by the hill.country farmer, are fetching excellent prices, 10/- and 12/- being paid for ciil lambs which are barely able to reach the saleyards. Good ewe lambs are making up to 25s while black faces with any condition At all, are fetching prices that are fetching prices that can leave but a small fattening margin. ■High Prices For Sheep. It’ is evident that far more dairyfarmers are going in for small lots ol lambs and sheep* and at present prices of fats and wool this is certainly a much more tempting proposition than keeping pigs. There is practically no work attached to the keeping of a small number of sheep, and as in the case of lambs the feed Is never missed. Whether cull or forward lambs the return invariably is a most profitable one, particularly so if a few acres are put in rape or turnips. . Prices for breeding ewes are likely to create a record' this season. Good 2 .tooths are selling up to £2/2/. and as much as £2/5/- is being paid for 4 and 6-tooth sheep. At the Alfredton ewe fair the other day 4 and 5. year ewes of any quality were making 30/- to 39/- a price well above last year’s figures. Great Season for Crops.

The present season has been a most favourable one for rape and turnips which should givq: a good return to both sheep and daity-farmer. One of the finest crops of rape may be seen just now on Mr. A. P. McHardy's property on the Siberia road near Ashhurst. A paddock of about 5 or 6 acres of the freshest and healthiest rape that 'dr\e might wish to see, per. fectly even and without a break. Maize is also doing well this season and should greatly assist the dairyfarmer in keeping up his milk supply and making his cows fit for the winter. Further north, maize growers are complaining thaf it is making overmuch growth, this being a drawback where maize is. grrown for seed purposes. Winter and Spring Feed. An early winter is being predicted in many quarters and when conditions are favourable no time should be lost in putting in winter and spring crops. Where a paddock of rape or turnips proved a failure or were taken by the fly, turnips may' still be sown, the “Hardy Green Globe” being no doubt the best variety for this purpose. For wdnter and eary spiring feed Western .Wolths is becoming a greater favoux*. Tte in this district every year as it seems to stand up well to severe seasonal changes. Sown, with Italian rye or crimson clover it will give excellent and abundant feed in early spring when cows come in. It may later be cut for hay or seed in either case giving an excellent return. Western Wolths and Italian rye have given a particularly heavy seed yield this seasoon a splendid stand having been in evidence on Mr. N. Campbell’s property on the Feilding road at Kawi. whate-

The Kairahga Dairy Company, which is manufacturing 1 butter and casein, is experiencing an excellent season with an output well ahead of last year. Owing to the doubtful state of the Home butter market, the directors have thought it advisable to re. duce the pay-out for last month’s but-ter-fat to 1/lln addition to this, the company is paying l£d for casein making 1/3 per lb. butter_fat in all. Although the present weather conditions are very trying to the butter, maker, the company is turning out a splendid article, consistently grading !)3£ to 04 J. The quality of the casein has also been so satisfactory, that the companie’s three factories' have now been given the privilege of making rennet casein, which is a better paying proposition than lactic casein. The electrifying of the company's factories at Kairanga and Longburn has proveU a great time and labour-saving and greatly assists in the manufacture of high-grade butter and casein.