CANTERBURY FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 17 February 1910, Page 5

CANTERBURY FARMERS.

THE GRAIN YIELD. ALLEGED EXCESSIVE FINES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHEISTCHUECH, Wednesday. At a meeting of the Executive of tlie North Canterbury Farmers , Union this afternoon reference was made to the criticism of the Government's estimate of the Canterbury grain yield. A statement had been made by Sir. George Sheat, in which he contended that the Government's estimate of 37 bushels per acre should be reduced by onethird. This was subsequently combated by the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture. , Mr. Sheat, in support of his statement) quoted some threshing returns in the Dunsanael district, and said that when all the wheat in Canterbury was in sack, an average of 25 to 26 bushels would cover it. Mr. G. W. Leadley said that the Government estimate should be, reduced by nearly one-third. There would he lese wheat in the country this year than last year, in spite of the bigger acre-' age. He thought that 24 bushels would be about the average. Mr. Evans said that in the northern' district they were more fortunate. Looking all round, however, he waa satisfied that Mr. Sheafs estimate of. 2S bushela was not far out. They woukl not get anywhere near 35 bushels, but they might reach 28 bushels. The meeting generally confirmed this view. Referring to the cases which recently came before the Magistrate's Court at Oatnaru, when farmers were heavily fined for consigning grain sacks weighing over 2001b5., Mr. W. LUI saia that in two cases the Government had practically taken one-third of the, wheat from the fanners. Heavy fines had been imposed, because, in one case, the margin was 31bs., and in the other IJlbs. Farmers should insist on thyre. being a fair margin, as there was iai wooL It was resolved: "That the Executive protest against the penalties inflicted, and that a margin of not less than 31be. be allowed; also, that a deputation be appointed to interview the. Minister for Railways on the subject."