DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1922, Page 4

DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

It would appear that the Dairy Control Bill is “talked out” for this year, owing to the opposition experienced in the House. Opponents of the measure have been particularly active during the past week or two, and the shelving of the Bill does not come as a surprise. Features of Wednesday’s debate were the pronouncements made by the Minister and the Minister for Agriculture in support of the passing of the Bill. The latter said the Board proposed to be set up to carry out the scheme would be unable to apply compulsion, except though an Order-in-Council—a statement with which opponents disagreed, based on counsel’s opinion. If such a defect existed, however, it would be a simple matter to remedy it, and this was indicated. Mr. Massey said that he had received hundreds of communications 6n the matter, and, as far as he could judge, six to one were in favor of the Bill. He spoke of the success of the Meat Control Act, which, he said, had enabled producers to get higher prices for their meat than otherwise would have been the case. At the same time, Mr. Massey was prepared to admit that producers had not had an opportunity to fully understand the details of the Bill. There is a great deal of truth in this. Those responsible for the Bill, in our mind, have not used the best, tactics. It would have been much better to have submitted and explained the whole scheme to the producers, instead of endeavoring to rush it through in the dying days of the session. The best? policy always in this as in other things is to be perfectly frank and honest. Nothing should be hidden, for those concerned have a right to know every detail of a scheme that may so vitally affect their interests. The tactics pursued only gave opponents a handle which they used to the fullest extent to defeat the proposal. In itself, the principle of the proposal is quite desirable. Producers must endeavor to improve their organisation, regulate shipments better, advertise systematically and comprehensively, have a better intelligence system, and endeavor to extend their markets. Australia, the Argentine and South Africa are increasing their production of dairy products at a great rate, and New Zealand will have to fight hard in the near future to retain its position. It is as plain as possible that the country must put its house in order if it is to keep up its end. The details of the scheme may leave much to be desired. We frankly believe they do, in several important respects; but we believe the Bill is an honest endeavor to give effect to the con-tinuously-expressed wishes of producers to improve matters and be better able to face the new conditions arising and the greater competition which is a certainty of the future. This will possibly be recognised when the heat and feeling imported into the matter die down and the question is considered calmly and dispassionately. The point is admitted, even by opponents, that something should be done and that the present system, or lack of system, cannot continue. Let the various parties therefore get together during the ensuing few months before next session, take counsel of one another, and evolve a scheme free from th? defects that have been responsible for much of. the present opposition, and acceptable to the great majority. The Bill has had the good effect of arousing interest in the marketing and control of the produce when it leaves the factories, and to that extent has done good. If it is followed by action on the lines just suggested, then much greater benefit will ensue.