WHEAT POOL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 8

WHEAT POOL.

AN EMPIRE SCHEME.

AUSTRALIAN DELEGATE'S VIEWS

(FROH 01-S OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SAX FRANCISCO, March 24. If Canada and Australia co-operated there would be no question of world wheat market disorganisation through unwise competition bringing hardships alike upon both consumers and producers, according to -Mr J. 13. McDonald, one' of the two Australian delegates to the recent international wheat pool conference held at St. Paul, Minnesota, who, when in New York, stated that immediately upon his return to Australia lie would communicate with all Australian pools in order to sound out the sentiment for creating a central Australian pool similar to Canada's, which, after studying, he unqualifiedly advocates. Mr .McDonald, who lieiore and alter the St. Paul conference spent considerable time in Canada studying wheat pool organisation, said that it was quickly discernible at the conference that Australia's and Canada's interests were similar, since American wheat pools were centring their attention on their own problems chiefly connected with domestic consumption, while Argentina was not represented at the conference. Mr McDonald said that he had been extremely impressed with, the successful methods used by the Canadian central pool and the provincial pools. He said he had found the directors anxious and willing to place all information concerning methods of organisation and even of sale before him. They expressed the keenest desire to co-operate with Australian pools for the purpose of regulating the supply of wheat to the market, and they gratefully accepted the invitation to send a delegation to confer with Australian pool heads in August.

Greater Profits.

The preliminary necessity in co-opera-tion with Canadian delegates, according to Mr McDonald, is. unity among Australian pools, which, if they are acting together instead of against each other, would mean greater profits. Mr McDonald expressed th© hope that a central Australian body would be organised before the arrival of the Canadian delegates next August. He said that the Canadian pool was organised following the organisation of the provincial pools. Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan each appoint two delegates to the central pool, although Saskatchewan produces nearly as much as the other two pools combined. The central pool maintains a selling agency and various representatives, necessary for marketing the product. Tie provincial pools maintained staffs of field agents and experts who keep in direct touch with the producers? The central pool engages three expert grain men whose experience makes them the superior salesmen in the entire wheat world. The men sell the grain in London and Paris. The central pool maintains, offices in these cities. The pool officials expressed the willingness to have • Australia also represented by these offices and would be glad to give Australian, pools one of their salesmen for Australia.

Mr. McDonald pointed out that the Canadian pool sells 200 million bushels and, if Australia, with its 75 to 100 million exportable, surplus, co-operated in putting its supply on to the world markets, it-would have one of the most desirable, steadying influences. Treating *he market rightly thus when it is depressed, pools could beneficially limit the supply and prevent utter demoralisation, which often results when regulation is non-existent.

Wheats are Harder.

Mr McDonald stressed Australia's superior position, particularly as its wheats are harder and so are required for blending purposes. Australia could therefore make its influence' fully felt in any scheme of co-operation. Mr McDonald reiterated the necessity of unanimity in Australia, and said that there was-no»'need for State pools' to work behind closed doors. There should be among Australian pools, as 5n Canada, he said, an ■ exchange of information . and. a centralisation • of effort. with . marketing conducted through a' single source: He expressed the hope that.banks would support the centralisation scheme, pointing out that; Canadian banks felt that the prosperity of the farmer meant the banks' prosperity. . ' Discussing the question of Government guarantee; .he' said he felt that this was subordinated to the entire question of a central pool which, in co-operation with Canada, centralised pooling* would bring about the desired results.' When asked whether Argentina might not negative any efforts for world, regularisation by sending its wheat out regardless of the activities of the Canadian ,and Australian pools,Mr' McDonald said he believed that Canada and Australia, working together, would insnre the steadying of the market, but that the co-operation of Argentina could also be expected in time. He added that the question had been discussed and that the Canadian people had declared their readiness to share in tho small expense necessary for the maintenance of a bureau in Argentina, primarily for keeping British pools informed as to the Argentine supply and so forth and also to make enquiries among Argentine interests in reference to ultimate world-wide cooperation. Mr McDonald stated that he was convinced that the Caiiadinn ■ pool 3 had been instrumental in stabilising wheat prices during the last six months.

SIZE OF CORNSACKS.

FARMERS' UNION AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. .(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") . "WAIMATE, April 19. . In connexion with the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce proposal to have uniform size of cornsacks and woolpacks, the "Waimate Farmers' Union passed the following resolution: "That this meet-: ing protest against the action of the Chamber of Commerce in making any alteration in the sizes of cornsacks and woolpacks -without consulting. with the Farmers' Union."

AMBERLEY STOCK SALE. The Amberley stock tale was held yesterday. There wag a yarding of 1183 sheep, of which 700 were fats. The following were the sales: — Lambs—McAdams Bros., 65 at 28s 9d; W, Wornall, 31 it 28s 9d; T. Eetallick, 13 at 28s; W. Allison. 12 at 28s 9d; H. H. Busch, 48 at 265; Broomfleld Estate, 161 at 28g lOd, 89 at 28s 3d; J. H. Hadler, 52 at 245, 15 st 25s lOd; H. Davis, 6 at 23s lid; 6. Fulton, 7 at 275; J, Bain, 12 at 25s 6d; 8. D. Boyce, 10 at 26s 4d; T. Feathery, 13 at 23s Bd. Ewes—T. Feathery, 11 at 18s 4d, 7 at 15f 4d; S. D. Boyfe, 7 at 17s 2d; W. Allison, 14 at 17s 2d; W. Wornall. 8 at ISs sd; H. Buach, 9 aj 175.2 d, 17 it 18s Id. Wethers —W. McFarlnne, 6 at 265.3d; G. Bain, 31 at 2fls 3d; W. L. Redmayne, 20 at 28* 6d; J. Thackar, 29 at 24s lOd.