WHEAT PROTEST

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 8

WHEAT PROTEST

Price for Cross 7 Variety “DEFINITELY LET DOWN BY COMMITTEE” Indignation at the Wheat Committeg’s action in reducing the price for Cross 7 wheat by 2d a bushel was expressed by the North Canterbury provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at its monthly meeting yesterday. It was the general opinion of the meeting that the Wheat Committee had “definitely let growers down” oh the price anticipated for Cross 7 wheat, and it was decided that the committee be approached on the matter. The chairman, Mr G. C. Warren, said that thousands of acres had been sown in Cross 7 wheat last season by farmers who had expected to get 2d extra for it. In his opinion the man who produced a better article was entitled to receive remuneration commensurate with the value of the article produced. Cross 7 wheat was a superior milling wheat to Tuscan, and if justice was to be done to the flour-milling industry then the growing of Cross 7 should be encouraged. Superiority Unquestioned “Dr. Hilgendorf spent years in producing Cross 7 wheat,” Mr Warren remarked. “There is no question of its superiority to other types. It is the best flour-producing wheat grown, and is an excellent wheat for header-harvesting. But if farmers are to receive no more remuneration for growing it than for growing other wheats, then Cross 7 will be sown in ever diminishing quantities.” “I think the Wheat Committee should be asked why last year Cross 7 was classed with the Hunter variety while this year it is classed in the Tuscan variety,” said Mr R. G. Bishop. He expressed the opinion that wheat should be purchased by millers on the quality of its grain and that Jumbuk, which he considered produced the best flour for baking, should be grown In larger quantities. Mr Spencer-Bower agreed with the chairman that insufficient remuneration had been made to the farmer this season for the growing of Cross 7. Only when the wheat was being harvested was the decision of the committee made known. Farmers should have, been acquainted with the committee’s intention to include Cross 7 in the Tuscan variety six months ago. “Remuneration Withheld” He supported Mr Bishop’s remarks about Jumbuk wheat, observing that the price for Jumbuk should be the same as that paid for high-quality wheats. “I think the Wheat Committee has definitely let us down with respect to Cross 7,” one member said. “We should protest to the Government about it. Surely the Hon. D. G. Sullivan (Minister for Industries and Commerce) could do something to ease the situation. When farmers grow thousands of acres in Cross 7 anticipating to reap some benefit it is beyond a joke when the remuneration they are entitled to is withheld.” The chairman observed that he' was sure that South Canterbury and Mid-Canterbury farmers would be of the same mind on the question as were farmers in North Canterbury. He did not think it would be altogether wise to make any official protest to the Government until a reply to their question was forthcoming from the Wheat Committee. The secretary was instructed to write to the Wheat Committee inquiring why Cross 7 had not been included in the Hunter variety, and why the remuneration of 2d a bushel which farmers had expected to receive for growing it was being withheld.