The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1921. MARKETING DOMINION PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1921. MARKETING DOMINION PRODUCE.

The discussion which took place in the House last week on the subject of marketing the produce of the Dominion, while it served the purpose of once again directing attention to the. shortcomings of the High Commissioner’s staff, and the mismanagement in the disposal and hoarding by the Imperial Government of commandeered supplies during and subsequent to the war, in reality led to no practical results. It may fairly be claimed that the members of the British Ministry are all well disposed towards New Zealand and are not at all likely to deal unfairly in any matter of business, and the price paid for commandeered goods is striking proof of this. Like all governments, the Dominion ineluded, Ministers had to rely on their officers almost blindly in regard to dealing with the produce when it reached the Motherland. It must be remembered, that, like many other problems during the war, the distribution

or retention of foodstuffs was entirely a new business, on a very large scale, and, as infallible men do not exist, it was inevitable that errors of judgment and methods of administering such an unprecedented undertaking should arise. That some of these errors should have led to serious results is matter for much regret, the more so as they were inconceivably based on wrong principles and a lack of foresight that is difficult to justify. Even in the case of small wars Britain’s commissariat blunders have generally been an outstanding feature, so it is not surprising that in the greatest military struggle that has ever afflicted the world these blunders should have been all the more glaring. It is of no avail to cry out over spilt milk, and it is probable if another war were to take place it would produce a similar crop of troubles connected with food supplies. In stating that the Home authorities, having bought and paid for produce supplied by the Dominions, the New Zealand Government had no further say in the matter, the Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Nosworthy) proclaimed ar irrefutable fact. The produce was the property of the Home Government to deal with as they pleased. At the same time there existed, and still exists, a moral and politic obligation on their part not to act in the matter in any way that would prejudice or penalise the Dominion producers. That is really the core of the whole matter, and one on which the Dominion Government is thoroughly justified in making its voice heard and heeded. The High Commissioner’s office in London mainly exists for the purpose of protecting and furthering the inttrests of the Dominion in all that relates to trade, commerce and finance. In expressing the opinion that officers of that expensive establishment “might not be so closely in touch with New Zealand as they should be,” Mr. Massey let them down with extreme tenderness, although it is not the first time he has admitted that reforms were needed in that office. If the discussion leads to action in this respect it will not have been in vain. In stating that the money received for our wool and other produce enabled the Dominion to pay its share of the war, put away surpluses and raise loans in a manner that was a perfect revelation to everybody, M r. Nosworthy went beyond the true state of affairs, for our share of the war expenses is still mostly owing and the surpluses have vanished instead of being available to meet the great stringency that has arisen. Mr. Massey may fairly be credited with doing the best he could for the producers while he was in the Old Country. There were, however, many things he failed to see, for the simple reason that it is customary, when showing a distinguished visitor round, to take care that he is only shown those things he is wanted to see, and not those which, like sleeping dogs, are best left unroused. He saw enough, however, to convince him that “something might be done” in relation to imi proving the conditions under which the Dominion’s produce was marketed, and even went so far as to quote a letter he had sent.

to British Ministers on the subject of the unfair treatment of our produce. It would seem that the course which the producers should adopt—for, after all, it is their business more than the Government’s—is to formulate definite complaints and suggest the means whereby they should be remedied. The Government might then communicate on the matter with British Ministers direct and obtain a clear understanding in the direction of the necessary reforms being instituted as soon as possible. It would be unreasonable to expect that the respective Governments will interfere in trade methods, but will confine their action to putting an end to the disadvantages of the producers in relation to the remaining portion on hand of the commandeered goods. Had prices continued favorable there would have been no complaints from this end. As it is, the low returns practically compel the producers to use every endeavor to save the situation, but they must also display the necessary enterprise and resourcefulness in marketing their wares.