THE HUSH-HUSH SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1926, Page 3

THE HUSH-HUSH SOCIETY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Permit me a little of your valuable space to pass a few remarks on the methods of the New Zealand Dairy Control Board. In the first place it was known as the “dairy pool,” but the members of the board soon found the word “pool” very unpopular; in fact, it hummed a bit. It was then re-named the “New Zealand Dairy Control Board.’’ Later on the word “control” was eliminated, as far as possible, and at Home it is now known as the “New Zealand Dairy Board.” Judging by the sidestepping and swerving indulged in by the members of the board recently, 1 think they should try the name at the top of this letter. It could not do them any harm, and it would certainly be in keeping with their recent tactics. They evidently have not got a “fixed” name, although they are trying to do a bit of “fixing” and “naming” prices. At the meeting held in Stratford on Norember 2 of the Taranaki Dairy Employers’ Federation, addresses were given and questions answered by two members of the board, Messrs. Forsyth and Corrigan. The Government nominee on the board (Mr. T. A. Winks) was invited by the chairman to address the meeting, but he declined, and, according to your report of the 3rd instant, Mr. Winks explained “that lie was a Government nominee on the board, and as such preferred not to make any public statement.” If that were Mr. Winks’ reason for not addressing the meeting on November ? in Stratford, and "making a public statement,” then why did lie make a public statement to your reporter in Hawera on November 8, and reported in your issue of the 9th instant? In fact, he made a lot of statements whitewashing the board members (Bar Mr. Timpany). Perhaps he thought it easier to stuff a newspaper reporter than to try it on at the meeting in Stratford Possibly, had Mr. Winks addressed those present, he may have blundered like his predecessor on the board. The Hon. Minister of Agriculture, who informed a. meeting in Stratford some couple of years back that “the levy collected by the board was for the purpose of paying out bonuses.” Perhaps there was a lot of truth in his statement as the board members seem to get the bonuses. I think the best thing to do would be to send the rest of the members of the board (bar Mr. Timpany) for a trip Home as soon as possible, then a majority of the members might rule against “price-fixing,” “price-naming,” or whatever they like to call it. This remedy of a cheap trip Home has been tried and f6und a success with men like Mr. Coates. Mr. Polson, Mr. lorns and others who were suffering from the dairy disease commonly known as “fixationitis.” —I am, etc., “STRATFORD.”