N.Z. WHEAT GROWING

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE BE- '■ ING HELD (Per Press Association,) . ! CHRISTCHUROH. December 14.. An important conference ■ opened today between the Board of Trade-^and representatives of the principal wheatflrrowingr districts in the South Island. Hon. W. D.S. MacDonaJd presided over a very representative gathering. The proceedings were taken in .camera. / At to-day's conference" between the wheat growers and the Hon.W. D. S. Mac Donald it is understood that. | though the Minister did not make any direct proposals to the growers, be intimated that the Government recognised that something would have to be done in connection with the wheat industry, and it was- prepared to consider any proposals that the conference made. The opinion of the delegates was pracically unanimous that the Government should take over the entire wheat crop of the Dominion, "and it was resolved that the wheat growers would undertake to grow the wheat necessary and offer it to the Government provided a satisfactory price could be arranged and that sufficient labour was forthcoming-. An important suggestion was also made that the Government should take over the control of the wheat right up to the time it was converted . into bread ..stuffs. Trie" idea being that by this means undue profits could be prevented in getting the bread into the hands of consumers. At the conclusion of the conference > a committee was elected consisting of representatives from 'each district to discuss what would be ;a fair price .for growers to' ask for their wheat. This was eventually aerreed upon and submitted to the Minister but not publi^ally di^closM. Mr MarDnnnid will ,rons"H. with the Board of Trade otk- the offer, and its recomendations """11 be forwarded to f>binet. Mr Mar Donald returned to.. Wellington to-