DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1919, Page 5

DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS.

IMPROVED MARKETING; < ESTABLISHMENT OF BANK",URGED. 1 (From Our Own Reporter) The question of some better means' } of distributing New Zealand produce 'if on the Home market with a view to 'i conserving to the producer all the profit » was discussed at the annual meeting of s members of the National Dairy Astoria- A tion. The matter wasi introduced by i Mr MacFarland (Riverbank), who mov- ~ ed that the executive be asked to report to a special general meeting of the Na- : ; twnal Dairy Association to be held with. - to six months, on the beet method of financing and directing the distribution ' ■ of our products in England through the agency of our London branch. The experience of the war had taught them many lessons. The Imperial Supplies ■Department had purchased all their produce during the war, and this had made them think why could not some organisation of their own do the same. He thought this could be done £»* " .f Mtiwly as by private arms, and it would mean that the producer would have control direct from the farm to the consumer without the intervention of the middlemen, and this was 1 what was required in close co-operation* He instanced the progress of Denmark, whose farmers through co-operation had . the whole of the results of their labor. He referred to the probable advent of the American Meat Trust, and considered it was time the producer should do ' something to meet the position. If r only needed an extension of the organisation they now had and he thought they were strong enough now to imsTf. take it. The resolution was not intended as a slap in the face at private Arms. He understood that some rears?ago 5?" J*?"* 1 ***<*** luvd moved in this direction but the war had intervened. He strongly favored the utilisation of the National Dairy Association for pla«ing their goods on the English market when the Government purefcajse ceased. Russia was one of the greatest co-operative countries in the World, itmd it was only on account of co-operation that Russia was saved from starvation. He epoke at length on ,the Russia farming banking system, and considered the , National Dairy Association by going iftto . the banking business could finaace factories at this end, which was the most difficult problem to solve. Mr Davis (Hawera) seconded. Mr Baker (Papatoa) considered that the capital of the NJXA. would hare to be very materially increased to enable it to undertake the selling of the produce [at Home. At present many of the firms doing business had capitals of from £1,000,000 to £2,000,000. Otherwise the scheme was a good one. Mr Sinclair (Opotiki) said that there was certainly need for some such change. When the farmers started cooperation they were told that they were not business men and would fail, but had they? Co-operation, however did not go far enough, and he thought all the producers should combine and put their produce on the market There would still be room for the best menMr Turners My salary is £SOOO pe* year.

Mr Buchanan (Thames Valley) thought that a committee should be set up in London to fix prices and utilise the present means of distribution, say, through half a dozen agents. Mr Williams (Mere Mere) thought farmers should combine and put their produce through the best firms they would get a fair deal, and there would possibly be a saving fa commission. At present cases had been known where firms used the produce sent on open consignment in order to smash up those that had been bought. The chairman pointed out that two delegates had gone Home in the interest* of the industry and on their return would be accompanied by Mr Ellison. By next annual meeting, therefore, it might be possible to have a comprehensive report from them. It would not ho possible to do anything in six months, and he suggested that the resolution should be amended accordingly. This was agreed to. Mr Daysh (Otaiaia) considered that New Zealand produce would not require any salesmen, because New Zealand was known to be very patriotic He then gave one or two patriotio recitations, being encored. Mr Lowe (Heretaunga) wanted an idea as to the cost.

Hon. J. B. Gow (Opotiki) pointed out that the motion merely asked them to do what every intelligent man would do in connection with his own business —scrutinise what happened to his produce after it left his hands. It must be recognised that there were forces at work inimical to the production and now when they were in the transition stage from selling to the Government to free market was the time to scrutinise anew. He viewed the proposal as suggested by the Government for a continuance of the sale to the Imperial Government for a longer period with a certain amount of alarm. While the war was on he did not object to the Imperial Government being given what was required, but he was opposed to the huckstering njethods adopted. Had it been given as a free gift and the New Zealand farmer been given credit for the amount, he would not have objected. New Zealand was part of the Empire, and had rightly taken its share in assisting the Empire, and he considered it should have been put on the same basis as the rest of the Empire. Tt was not fair to restrict prices here while at Home and elsewhere they were not restricted. The present system was unfair, and now was tho time farmers should look into the matter and aee that it did not continue.

Mr McFarland, in replying, said that the Government had commandeered our goods virtually, yet were profiteering tremendously. On six items Hie Government were making a profit of from 10 ta CO per cent. He, too, deprecated the proposal for furthor control. If there was any further control thev must have the price ruling on the English market at the time. At present each department at Home was viqing with tho other to make a bigger profit. Re wanted the producer to control supplies right from tho farm to the consumer and obviate the intervention of «nv middle men. He strongly favored tV N.D.A. establishing a bank, which wov'- 1 become a deposit bank, and thev'co"!l finance from the producer to th* consumer. Until this was done thev woutt never get the full results of thereafter. It had heen carried out in Denmark and Russia, and could he in Ne-v Zealand. This was carried.