FARMER’S PROBLEMS.

Shannon News, 7 June 1929, Page 4

FARMER’S PROBLEMS.

PRODUCE AND MARKETS.

DIVERGENT OPINIONS

Produce and marketing questions' were discussed during the conference of the Auckland branches of the Farmers’ Union last week. A remit objecting to any but producers’ representatives on the New Zealand Dairy Produce board was approved. The Bay of Islands branch expressed the opinion that the government had nq special interest to conserve, while th.e present \ method of election more thah safeguarded proprietary interests. Mr. G. Moody said the farmers were quite able to manage their own business. Mr. H. C. Mc.Cready considered the board had been wrongly constructed in the first place and no interference was required . Testing arid Grading.

Divergent opinion was expressed regarding a remit that the testing and grading of milk and cream at dairy factories should be carried out by qualified government officers. Several delegates wished to see a government service established, but others objected on the score of increased overhead charges. Mr. H. K. Hatrick said rivalry between co-operative and proprietary concerns had evoked the remit. He thought a Government service should be established and the cost should be borne by the industry as a whole, in which way small factories could not be penalised. i 1

Mr. G. S. Clark considered the scheme would be impracticable. Mr. R. McCorquindale and Mr’. 0. J. Harkness objected to government interference. The laltter said he was afraid overhead costs would become too great.

That the co-operative concerns had no use' for check-graders and testers was stated by Mr. P. Hawke. Mr. H. 0. Mellsop instanced the, different results achieved by testers and stated a uniform system would be most desirable. , Importance of Quality. “The quality of produce most important and we must take steps to keep up the .standard,” said Mr. W. Boyd. “There must be no slipping back. Any reform which will help the industry must be carried out. ” It was decided to urge that government graders be appointed, provided ‘‘ a practicable and equitable basis of costs on a butter-fa,t basis over the whole industry can be devised, and that such officers be moved at reasonable intervals.” The remit is to be forwarded to the National Dairy conference as well as to the Dominion executive.

A remit urging the necessity for the closer co-ordination of co-operative dairy companies in marketing produce was supported by Mr. R. H. Feisst, who said there were too many companies competing against each other. The ror mit was carried.

It was decided to request the National Dairy association to convene an early Dominion conference.