DAIRY CONTROL BOARD CALLS CONFERENCE.

Shannon News, 24 December 1925, Page 2

DAIRY CONTROL BOARD CALLS CONFERENCE.

+ TO DISCUSS WARD SYSTEM OP ELECTION. Notification that. the Control Board intended to convene a conference of dairy company delegates to discuss the ward system of election of members to the Board, was responsible for expressions of indignation at the meeting ot the Dairy Farmers’ Union in Palmerston last week. "The Control Board has no right to take an actual part in any movement in which sides are taken,” remarked Mr. J. I. Pox. ‘lt is there to dispose |of our produce and nothing else and it is wrong for them to think of calling a conference on the matter.” Mr. Pox claimed that the election of the Control Board members was one for the individual farmer and not dairy companies. He would move that an invitation be extended to other provincial executives ;o attend a conference to discuss the matter. Mr. J. 11. Powler seconded the motion. Mr. W. H. Gimblctt agreed with Mr Pox and considered the action of the Board was a snub to the producers. Mr. Algar moved as an amendment that the matter be referred first to the various branches for discussion and suggestions, the executive to act on their recommendations. Mr. G. Wagstaff urged' that time would not permit of such a course. Mr. Pox pointed out that the Union already had a definite policy as regards the Control Board election and it was not necessary to approach the branches. Mr. Gimblctt urged arriving at a definite. decision immediately as the matter was most important. The action of the Control Board was a big blow to the producers and smattered of a desire to take away the franchise from the individual farmer. j Mr. J. McFarland considered there i was room for suspicion when the Board j was taking the matter to the dairy com- I pnnies, Mr. Fox: If any member of this executive thinks the ward system will be carried without a struggle, he is very much mistaken. The, opponents are going to spare neither time nor money to put up a- big fight. He urged that the Prime Minister should be shown that the farmers were serious.

Mr. X. Campbell remarked that the executive had already a mandate from the branches to, support the ward system. As there was no seconder to Mr. Algar's amendment, the motion was put to the meeting and carried. It was also decided to send a letter to the Control Board disapproving .'of its action in calling a meeting of dairy company delegates without giving the individual producer the opportunity of voicing his opinion in the matter as well.