Secret agreement for price reduction prohibited; exception

No licensee or other person, association or corporation shall hereafter contrary to the public interest operate in any municipality under any mutual or secret agreement, arrangement, combination, contract or common understanding, with any other licensee or person, firm, association or corporation, whereby the price for milk to be paid to producers in this State is reduced or the price to be paid by dealers, processors, subdealers, stores or consumers for such milk is decreased in pursuance of such mutual or secret agreement, arrangement, combination, contract or common understanding, and each such contract, arrangement, agreement or understanding is hereby prohibited and declared to be contrary to the public interest and in restraint of trade and commerce, and shall subject the violator or violators to the penalty in this act prescribed; provided, however, that the right may be granted to deduct a check-off to be paid as association or corporation with consent of producer and approval of the director. L.1941, c. 274, p. 725, s. 30.