OPINIONS DIVIDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 11

OPINIONS DIVIDED.

CANTERBURY COMMENT. ARE HIGHER COSTS OFFSET? (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The 7d a bushel increase in wheat prices for the 1937 season meets a mixed reception from Canterbury farmers. North Canterbury growers are well I satisfied with 5/ a bushel for JanuaryMarch delivery on a Tuiftan basis, but Mid and South Canterbury farmers« consider that this price is far too low and should lave been more in the neighbourhood of 6/. Xhey claim that increased costs are not offset by the increase and that "disappointing" prices are calculated to prevent growers from sowing larger areas of grain. The feeling in the trade in Christchurch is one of satisfaction, and merchant; consider the rates fair and adequate. Millers in the Dark. Millers so far are in the dark awaiting the announcement of selling prices before they know whether flour prices will increase too. It was suggested in one quarter that the selling price would remain the same as last season, namely 4/9J, with usual monthly increments after March, and that the difference would be made up by a subsidy. The Minister of Industries and Commerce pointed out recently that there will not be an increase in the price of flour or bread. Mr. Colin Mcintosh, a well-known North Canterbury wheat grower, said that glowers in that district could not t grumble. Wheat could be grown profit- | ably at that price on good land, where a yield of between 33 to 40 bushels to the acre could reasonably be looked for. The increased price would help to offset the higher harvesting cost for, although the increased wages bill was only 4 small item, the cost of goods and services had risen considerably. He considered that the prices fixed made it worth while for growers to put in more wheat. "If we asked for 6/ a bushel and got it, any amount of wheat could be brought into New Zealand at a cheaper price and our own business would be killed," he said. "We have got to think of the industry. The Minister is to be congratulated on the stand he has taken." Some Farmers Disappointed. "Farmers will be very disappointed," said a Mid-Canterbury grower. "They looked for more than that. These prices do not offer the farmer any inducement to put in more grain. We were hoping for at least 5/9 a bushel. If the price of bread was raised Id, the increase would not be missed. It is the cheapest item on the table." This Mid-Canterbury view was supported by a Waimate grower, who said I that South Canterbury growers had hoped for 6/ a bushel and certainly not less than 5/8.