The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1916. COMMANDEERING CHEESE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1916. COMMANDEERING CHEESE.

The question of the commandeering of cheese by the Government is one that deeply eoncernc the dairymen of Taranaki, inasmuch as out of a total value of this produce foi; the Dominion of four millions that for Taranaki is one and a half millions. The amount involved may more readily be guaged by the statement made at the Hawera meeting last week to the effect that the loss to the Dominion in consequence ot the Government , having commandeered thirty per cent, of the cheese output at 7Jd, while the average price on the market for the season was* !>Jd, amounted to .£.'115.000,! the loss to the Kaupokonui suppliers alone being £315,000. It was claimed that this loss was practically the outcome of the patriotic spirit of the producers, but, judging by the action that is now being taken by tliem, it would seem as if they were inclined to the belief they had been caught napping As a matter of fact, they had no idea that the market price would rise to the extent it did, for at the opening of last season it was 83s per ewt., while now it is up to Ills, and it was admitted by Mr. Powdrell that prices wont higher than was anticipated. Under theese circumstances, when it was known that the Government had invited the members of the National Dairy Association to meet them and discuss the question of fixing the price for this season's cheese, it is not surprising that the cheesemakcrs oi South Taranaki lost no time in convening a meeting, without waiting for the National Dairy Association to take action, the result being that there were two meetings called, one at Hawera by the southern suppliers, and another at F.ltham by the National Association. No harm accrued from this duplicate action, but it was evident that the producers were actuated by the desire to safeguard their interests and take no risk of being too late in the field. The outcome of the ITawera meeting, the first that was held, was a practically unanimous decision that the price for the coming season should be that of the average market values for last soa son, namely, Oid, a committee being appointed to draw up details respecting grade, shipping, storage, and finance, to bn submitted by the National Dairy Association as terms acceptable to Taranaki cheese factories, and that, failing the acceptance of the terms by the Government, a committee consisting of the chairman and one director of each factory be set up to deal with the matter. The meeting at Eltham, on Monday, confirmed this action, and it may be s-aic. that the question is now on a good business footing.. There is natural';,- ,-ome surprise that of all our produce, cheese should have been selected to be commandeered, and that the cheese producers should have to contribute so largely to the demands of the war, but it plays an important part in the rations of the soldiers, find by thus creating a shortage in the open market has affected the price, which has become abnormal. It may, therefore, justly be claimed that the advance in price comes within the definition of war profits, so that it would appear that the producers by holding out for the increased price (as they are properly entitled to do), open the way for being called upon to pay the special tax on war profits. Thev have, no doubt, considered this aspect of the question, and may be more willing to contribute by that means to the expenses of the war than by taking a smaller price. At any, rate, it would place them on an equal plane with other primary producers. Probably, they would still more willingly pay this super-tax if they were satisfied that the proceeds would be devoted to some' such important necessity as the purchase or suitable land for rc-turned soldiers, whereby the .none/ would not only be utilised to the

best advantage of those wlio arc' fighting for the safety and security of the Klll- - Hit would assist in tlie development of tlie resources of the country and add to its prosperity Our producers are onjoyiiif* phenomenal prosperity, and :L Is gratifying to know that they realise in great measure tlie responsibilities attaching to that state of affairs, s< that it may bo justly assumed they will be willing to meet the Government an 1 arrange the price for cheese without any haggling, and be content to pay their fair share of tlie war profits for tlie benefit ot those ivho are bearing the burden of the fighting for those who stay at home.