DOMINION’S FROZEN PRODUCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3164, 9 March 1911, Page 2

DOMINION’S FROZEN PRODUCE.

RECENT CONFERENCE OF EXPORTERS. MR. W. 1). LYSNAR INTERVIEWED Having returned from a visit to Wellington, where he had gone for the pappose of attending a conference in regard to the frozen produce trade, the Mayor (Mr W. D. Lysnar) kindly supplied a £ ‘Times’’ representative yesterday with some interesting particulars in' relation to the subject, which is occupying attention practically all over the Dominion. Mr Lysnar explained that the conference was hold in order that those int-ei-ested might be ' able to come to a decision upon 3: united course of action to obtain reforms both at Home and m New Zealand to improve the frozen produce trade in meat, _ butter and cheese. The conference did good work, although he personally would like to have seen a more decided stand taken in the question as to how the whole movement was to be financed. The interchange of views between the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, and the representatives of the conference, he added,, was satisfactory, t () this extent, that it would probably lead to the conference taking a decided stand fn the matter of finance. Personally, he (Mr Lysnar) thought the expenses of such an association should be provided by a small tax over sheep, cattle, and even pigs if necessary. Every producer of the classes of stock would derive benefit. If the tax was limited to. say, os per ICOO sheep (and in the ratio of' five sheep to one cattle beast), this would give far more revenue than would be equired. He would suggest that that should be the limit of taxation such a board could impose. The sheep tax of £1 per 1000 (abolished a year or so ago) produced over £20,000; thus a ta xof 5s would yield £SOOO without cattle and pigs. It would thus be seen that the necessary tax would be very small indeed. The Minister for Agriculture was, Mr Lysnar explained, apparently desirous of helping in the matter, but, rightly, put the responsibility on to the committee to say definitely "how the proposals were to be financed.' Mr McKenzie had definitely stated that he would be averse to the subsidising of the proposals out of general revenue, but he (Mr Lysnar) had noticed that the Government was subsidising the flax industry by offering a bonus of £12,000 for the best method of treating New Zealand hemp. The direct and indirect benefits to the Dominion if the produce question were settled would be very great. Dealing with the course which will probably, be pursued in the future, Mr Lysnar said that it was proposed that legislation should be enacted, authorising the producers of the Dominion to elect a Board of, say, twelve members from the whole of New Zealand. The Board should have power to rate m order to provide finances the same as existed with rabbit and river boards to-day. A live,, active and capable representative should lie appointed, who would devote his whole time as representative. of the producers of the Dominion in London. It would he necessary to pay this man a good salary in order to get a competent man and to ensure his independence. The Board should also elect a committee of known, trusted and reliable men in London, say five, to work with and to advise the producers’ representative in London.

The first duty of the producers' representative would be to : see that the improvements suggested by- the New Zealand Committee at the London end weer carried out on the lines in a practical and satisfactory way, suitable for the wiliole Dominion. After that it would be his duty, in conjunction with the London Committee, to collect data and information for the New Zealand Board as to how trade could be best controlled at the London end to the advantage of the producers of the Dominion. With such information at its disposal, the Board could educate the producers upon the best method of marketing their produce in London and elsewhere, it would also be the special duty of.the representative to ascertain if there were better markets than London. that might be. opened up. In the meantime it was desired that either cash or guarantees equal in all to about £1750, should be ro-und by the producers of New Zealand in order that a representative could be sent Home immediately to take matters up at once, for it was realised that things at Home at tins juncture were in a critical position

There were four representatives’ at the conference, Mr Lysnar went on to say, who were prepared to provide up to £IOO apiece towards the required amount, either in cash or guarantee. Each of the committees from the Respective centres represented were to se what could be done in their locality towards raising the amount. ‘lf the farmers would only rally round,” said Mr Lysnar, “and provide the necessary £l7-50, it will give time for legislation to be passed, and to think out how best to provide the funds. It was necessary to provide funds, and that through Parliament, and after all. members of Parliament were only the servants of the people.” , The £1750, Mr Lysnar pointed out, would provide funds to have a representative in London for 12 months, and pay for an assistant clerk to him, as well as allowing for cabling, which would be very necessary to keep the Board in touch with what was doing. In addition to that, they would, require something for -expenses at this end, but that would not be very great. Ultimately, when the (scheme had been placed on a sound footing, it was thought the Board or Association could pay its chairman something about £250 per annum. He would require an active clerk in a central part ef the Dominion, to disseminate information as it came to hand. The members of the Board, in attending meetings, would have to come from different parts of tlie Dominion, and it was considered they should be paid their actual ‘travelling expenses only. It was not suggested that the

London Committee should give its services voluntarily; but that they should for every time they attended a meeting be allowed so many guineas. They whole of the funds needed, both at this end and the London end, it was at present estimated, would not represent more than £3500. Tt might become necessary to take steps, such as advertising New Zealand produce, that would entail expense, and for that reason the Board should have some latitude in its finance. Taken on the whole, the result, of the conference had been most satisfactory and a distinct step had been made m the right direction.