DAIRY PRODUCE MARKETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1926, Page 8

DAIRY PRODUCE MARKETING.

Following the Control Board’s meeting on October 27 it was announced that the board had decided to abandon the policy of price-fixing in favour of a system of price naming in consultation with representatives nominated by the dairy produce importers in England. It was later reported that the proposal had been accepted by the trade and the names of its representatives were announced. Members of the board assured producers that the new arrangement had met objections of the London traders, who recognised the board’s policy and whose co-operation in carrying it out could now be relied upon. Like many previous assurances by the board, events have shown this report to be quite unreliable. Immediately following its publication the cables stated that Mr. Coates was engaged almost every day in smoothing out the differences that had arisen between the members of the board in London and the importers, proving that the latter were far from satisfied with the alteration in policy. They can see as far through a brick wall as members of the board, and realised that the alteration was but one in name only. Now it is again reported that the Prime Minister’s mediation has led to an agreement between the parties. We trust that this will prove to be the case, and so lift the boycott of our produce, for boycott there has been ever since the board endeavoured to direct the market as to what price it should pay for New Zealand produce. The producers, and all others dependent upon them, have suffered in consequence. In the light of past experience, however, it would be advisable to await further information before accepting the latest report as authentic. The board will be anxious to preserve its face, and will not readily surrender its position, however untenable and disastrous it may be. The chief feature of its marketing scheme was price-fixing, and to be compelled by force of circumstances —by the quiet boycott that their ill-advised action has brought out—to go back upon it will not prove particularly palatable to the gentlemen who set out to show producers how marketing should be carried out to ensure for them better financial results. It is sincerely to be hoped that the Prime Minister has been able to end the deadlock and regain the goodwill and co-operation of the importers that had the dictates of prudence been followed by the board would never have been lost.