THE BUTTER PROBLEM

Wairarapa Age, 14 March 1927, Page 5

THE BUTTER PROBLEM

MEETING OF CONTROL BOARD. * POSITION CONSIDERED. ANNOUNCEMENT PROMISED TO-DAY. The New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board met in Wellington on Saturday to consider the present position of the industry and the marketing outlook. The secretary (Mr. T. C. Brash) stated that no announcement would he made until to-day. The board resumes its sitting this morning at 9 o’clock. AN ATTEMPTED BOYCOTT. STATEMENT BY BOARD MEMBER. J HAWERA, -March 11. A Press Association cablegram published on Thursday, in which a prominent market authority in London criticised the Dairy Board’s policy, was k discussed at a meeting of the FederaF tion of Taranaki Co-operative Dairy Factories this afternoon. A motion was adopted asking that the name of the authority referred to be rupplied. Mr. J. R. Corrigan, a member of the Dairy Board, dealing with the matter, stated that in carrying out the present policy the board representatives might be dependent upon the exercise of discretion. The expressed opinion in the cable message was inspired propaganda, directed against the board, and he advised the meeting to regard it in that light. Mr. Corrigan denied the board had adopted anything in the nature of a/dictatorial attitude as suggested. The board endeavoured to co-operate with the Home traders, and to that end had arranged for the an peintment of three representatives, two of the producers and one of the Government, to a committee to which another three had been appointed by twenty-nine wholesalers handling New Zealand produce. The committee met a« occasion required, and, acting on reciprocal information, decided upon the price to be asked for produce. This was in accordance with the principle adopted by Australian exporters. N© cnc would deny that New Zealand producers should be given equal opportunity in voicing an opinion on the price at which produce should be sold. An endeavour was being made to discredit the board by stating that Australian butter was being disposed of in preference to New This was largely explained byw the fact that the former produce was bringing 6s per cwt. than New Zealand produce. He declared that the statement emanated from among those who, under the present scheme of marketing, were in danger of losing certain profits which previously they had gained in handling the produce.

<4 I am certain those interested organisations are endeavouring to bring about a state of affairs which will allow them to obtain similar pickings in future,” said Mr. Corrigan. * * They are out to kill the Control Board if they can do it. That would be the end of co-operation on the part of the farmers of this country so far as realising the best possible returns for their produce is concerned, and the end of an organisation which has been the aim of the industry for over twenty years.” Though no greater restrictions were placed on the offering of New Zealand I’T-dU'* than on Australian, the latter was Leing absorbed by interested merchants in preference to New Zealand. Mr. Corrigan alleged that a strong endeavour was being made to boycott the board. He admitted that New Zealand produce was not going off as freely as it should. Answering questions, sfr. Corrigan said that it had not been the board’s policy to. hold up produce, which was shipped as early as possible from New Zealand. The board would hold it at the other end.—(PA.).