THE DAIRY POOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 3

THE DAIRY POOL.

THE BILL CRITICISED. ‘‘Agricola” writes to the Editor: — Sir, —Being only a small farmer who is compelled by circumstances to depend on dairying for a living, I have been keenly interested in the proposed dairy pool, and, after considerable trouble, I have secured a copy of the proposed “Dairy Produce Control Act.” The difficulty experienced in obtaining a copy of this Bill is possibly explained -by the fact that notwithstanding the protestations of the “leaders’ of the industry that the Act is not necessarily compulsory, I find that compulsion still looms very largely, if indeed, it is not its main plank. Mr. J, S. Connett is, I believe, the gentleman who administered the soothing balm in Taranaki, and so efficacious was the dope that your versatile and accomplished Waitoitoi correspondent was completely overcome, and is not only quite satisfied as to the absence of any compulsory powers but in Monday’s issue mysteriously alludes to a no compulsory clause! Needless to say such a clause is non-existent. Clause 10, section one, provides that the GovernorGeneral may prohibit the export from New Zealand of any dairy produce save in accordance with the determination in that behalf of the Board of Control. Clause two empowers the Board to determine from time to time the extent to which it is necessary for the effective operation of thia Act, and the fulfilment of its purposes that the Board should exercise control over the export of dairy produce from New- Zealand, j<nd may assume control of any such dairy produce accordingly. Put into other and more simple words, the Board will decide when to exercise control and the Governor-General (or really the Cabinet) will prohibit the export of dairy produce belonging to any person or company who dares to disobey the dictates of this precious board, a Board which will probably be composed of men who are best known as the promoters and abettors of several previous ill-con-sidered and ridiculous schemes. It has also been stated that by regulation the levy is confined to a maximum of oneeighth per lb. of butter, and one-six-teenth per lb. of cheese exported, but the dairy farmer has not yet been told that the levy is not to be the Board’s only means of subsistence. This is to be a big concern, and fat men must have fat billets and job hunters placated. therefore appears clause 15, which is worthy of being published in full. .

Clause 15—All moneys received by the Board in respect oF* the sale of dairy produce or otherwise howsoever shall be paid by the Board into a separate account at a bank to be approved by the Minister of Finance, and. shall be applied by the Boards as follows: (a.) In payment of the expenses, commission and other charges incurred by the Board or for which the Board may become liable in the course of its business; (b.) In payment of the salaries and wages of the officers and servants of the Board; (e.) In payment of tra»-elling allowances, fees or other remunerations to membets of the Board or of the London agency; (d.) In payment of advances made by the Board to owners of any dairy produce on account of the price of that dairy produce: (e.) Tn payment of interest and other charges; (f.) Tn payment into a reserve fund from time to time as the Board in its discretion determines of such amounts as the Board may consider necessary to enable it to carry on its operations ipider this Act: (g.j In payment of the balance to the owners of dairy produce controlled by the Board in proportions, to be fixed -by the Board by reference to the quantity and grade of the dairy produce handled by the. Board in respect of the several producers or other owners of dairy produce.

The struggling dairyman will note (he order of precedence in which claims are to be met. Of course, as he only milks the cows he naturally must come last, for he will be relieved of the mental strain hitherto experienced in consigning or selling his produce to one of the many British firms of proved integrity who have been so long engaged in the New Zealand produce trade. He may kick, but his leaders will assure him that the balance as per section g clause 15 is all that he is entitled to or as much as is good for him. and. judging from the state of most large associations controlled by farmers in this Dominion, he will be extremely lucky if -there is any balance at all. In conclusion, can you. Sir. explain why the Massey Government is at the same time engaged in prosecuting one section of the eonlmunity for forming a combine to restrain trade, and aiding and abetting a few fanatics in an endeavour to establish a compulsory combine in respect to another section? —I am. etc.. “Agricola.”