WHEAT INDUSTRY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 135, 20 March 1931, Page 6

WHEAT INDUSTRY

POSITION OF THE GROWER. NEED FOR PROTECTION URGED. FOR CROP OF 1931*32 SEASON. FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION. The question of wheat duties was discussed by the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union this afternoon. It was decided to ask the Government that fariners he assured of• adequate protection for the wheat crop to be harvested in the 1931-32 season. \ Mr W. T.' Lill referred to the question of duty on wheat and the cost of bread, and lie said that Parliament should make some announcement in this short session. Land had to he prepared well ahead of sowing, and farmers should know what they were going to do. It was imperative that some announcement should he made. Mr J. Brown said that the Prime Minister had stated that lie would make an early announcement. Mr Lill saicl that he did not like to say any hard words against the North Island men, but their attitude implied that the only man to he watched now was the wheat-grower. Wheat could not he grown for less than it was being grown at tc-day. The labour question was the main trouble. Wheat was subject to the Arbitration Court awards from the moment it was harvested till it was consumed. Prices were altogether too high. Some resolution should go to the Prime Minister on the question. Mr Hammond said that letting Australian wheat in at the present prices was nothing more or less than dumping. The cost of production in New South Wales, allowing the producer £3OO income a year, was 4s 6d a bushel. Anything less than that would come off the £3OO. This was not much less than the New Zealand cost. The North Island did not seem to realise that Australian wheat prices were well under the cost of production. , Mr R. W. Franks said that the Prime Minister should he made to realise the urgency of the matter and to make his statement at an early date. They all knew the state of the Australian farmers, and it was not right to let Australian wheat in and so" bring about a similar state of affairs here.

Mr A. P. Bruce said that Australia kept out New Zealand produce because of fear of disease. He had an experience with Australian oats recently, and it was not a good advertisement for the pure-seed inspectors *to learn the state of- the seed he liad. The Government should he approached on that question, too. There was a, lot of piffle being talked in Parliament ajxnit wheat at the moment.

Mr Lill said that the Government should he informed that the Executive views with alarm the importation of wheat. With regard to the importation of grain and seeds containing weeds, Mr Bruce moved that the matter he placed before the Governments. This was seconded by Mr Hammond. Mr G. W. Leadley advocated delay in the passing of this motion, in favour of concentration on the wheat industry and the sliding scale of duties. That was much more important to New Zealand at present. The Government should be asked to make some definite statement immediately as to the measure of protection to be afforded to wheat-growers for the coming season. He moved to that effect. This was seconded bv Mr H. Brown. Mr F. G. Evans said there was a committee dealing with the question, and it was watching the matter. There was a tendency to yield to pressure brought to hear on the subject. The committee had decided to hold to what they had got and let the other side make advances. The motion before the meeting might he. overlapping the functions of the committee. Mr Evans added that the Government would liave to lace the position. The president said the motion would strengthen the hands of the committee. Mr Franks said the Executive had had no word from the committee and it was not known whether it was alive or dead. Mr Evans said he liad reported on the doings of the committee’s last meeting and Mr Franks had heard his report. He liad every reason to believe that the committee was doing good work. The president said they liad every confidence in the committee, and it was not- going over their heads in passing tlie motion. . Mr J. Carr said he sympathised with tlie motion, as farmers must know where they werq. At the same time there was some danger in approaching the Government from so many angles. So long as farmers were united in approaching the Government they would get something done. If there was any dissension the Government would take notice of it.

A member: We all want the same thing. Mr Carr: Yes, here, but not in the North Island. A representative conference had been held in Christchurch to go into the matter and a further conterence would he called next Tuesday,. It had been recognised that the Prime Minister had been good to the wheat-growers by declaring that no changer would be made in the protection for this harvest. He would make a further statement- regarding the future, and 1 lie would be approached by a strong deputation from Canterbury to urge tlie necessity for an early statement. A motion that was not contrary to this move, would certainly strengthen the move. There Avas another danger that if duties were granted, wheat-growing Avould be taken up in other districts and what Avould he the use of high protection if there Avas a surplus, Mr H. BroAvn said it Avas imperative to farmers to know Avhat Avas going to happen. The Wheat Pool could do nothing. Mr Carr disagreed Avith Mr Brown's last statement. The Pool had done a lot for groAvers. Mr Brown said: that the Pool Avas doing its best, but nothing could be done if the whole crop Avas not controlled. In that eA'ent, Avheat would be doAvn to "2s a bushel next year. Mr Lill: Come, come! Mr F. Frampton said the motion should be altered to read as a backing up of the committee, rather than be left as it was. They did not want to appear to be in two camps. After further discussion it Avas decided to niter the motion in the form of asking the Government that farmers be assured that adequate protection should he afforded to farmers for the Avheat crop to he harvested in the 1931-32 season. Mr Evans: Does that mean that vou

Avant to throw over the sliding scale of duties? Mr J. Brown: LeaA’e it alone, Frank. LeaA’e it alone. Air Bruce thought, that the present duty should be retained. .The motion was carried unanimously.