CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1922, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

PROPOSED DAIRY POOL SCHEME. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Mr. O. Hawken claims that the total amount of butter graded last year was 44,117 tons,' and the amount of cheese 60,317 tons. He says factories opposed to the Control Bill only represented 9013 tons of butter, and 14,364 tons of cheese. Mr. Hawken must know the above figures are not correct, as quite a number of the factories which voted in favor of the scheme at the Wellington meeting, having since seen the Bill, turned the scheme down. Stratford, Bell Block, Waitara and White Cliffs are a few of the companies which have changed their views, and others are changing every day. Mr. Hawken slates that it is not likely that the compulsory clause could be brought into operation, and, just a little later in his speech, he says: "I don’t think for a moment that compulsion will come into operation for some time.” If this is the opinion he holds, why does he stick so hard and fast, for the compulsory clause to remain in the Bill? Re the big fall in the price of butter last year, this was due to the Government control, and when they found the market was going against them, got rid of the butter at any old price. That is what the proposed control board will do if they over have the handling of our produce. Mr. Hawkins says the committee had made provision for the expenses of the board, but no provision for setting aside a reserve fund. Well, the provision that Is made in the Bill will mean that we are to find about. £BO,OOO per year for board expenses. The board then have the right to handle money received in respect of the sale of dairy produce, as follows: In payment of commission, salaries of servants, travelling allowances, London agency,

etc., payment. Into a reserve fund sucn amounts as the board thinks necessary, and the balance to owners of dairy produce (if any). Mr. Hawken says he cannot understand why the producers object to the Bill. If Mr. Hawken had to make a living by milking cows, lie would soon understand that there is no need for the compulsory pooling scheme. If the pool is going to be such a good thing, why not let those who are in favor of the Bill go on with their scheme? The opposition will fall into line if it proves a success. Provision can be made in the Bill so that they will have to pay all back levies before allowing them to become members of the glorious pool board. Quite recently the Prime Minister said that the sooner the producers realised that the prices they received before the war for produce were good ones the sooner things would become normal, and the better it would be for the country as a whole. It seems a pity the Government will not try to practise what they preach. Ju?t fancy the Government trying to steal Mr. Hollands political dynamite! , What is this proposed pool board but an attempt to nationalise distribution? What a win the Hon. Nosworthy and Mr. Hawken would have had if the Bill had passed 1 Cheese now quoted at 116 s, they could say, see what the control board has done for you I—l am, etc., WALTER C. GREEN. Rahotu, November 4, 1922.