WHEATGROWERS’ “PARLIAMENT"

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26745, 31 May 1952, Page 5

WHEATGROWERS’ “PARLIAMENT"

Price Structure Discussed

MORE REALISTIC BASIS WANTED An interesting review of the recent wheat price negotiations and dissatisfaction with the outcome were features of a meeting of the board of directors and the electoral committee of United Wheatgrowers (New Zealand), Ltd., which was held this week. Members from all parts of New Zealand attended, and the chairman, Mr R. T. McMillan, presided. The directors were instructed to continue their efforts to secure a more remunerative price to growers. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr J. T. Watts, attended by invitation, and gave a short address before his departure in the afternoon for Wellington. In the discussions which developed after the Minister’s departure, members expressed dissatisfaction that the grice was not on a more realistic asis by comparison with the price of imported wheat and prices which farmers could obtain for other farm products. A resolution was passed leaving the negotiations in the hands of the directors, and requesting them to further their efforts to “secure as good a price as possible.”

Negotiations Reviewed In a report to members, Mr McMillan recalled that at the meeting of the electoral committee a good deal of time was taken up with a discussion on the wheat price, the committee recommending that a deputation should go to Wellington to present the wheatgrowers’ case. Subsequently a deputation consisting of Messrs C. T. A. Ward, L V. Talbot. G. C. Warren and himself met Mt Watts and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr K. J. Holyoake, and had a very long discussion with the Ministers about the price and various other aspects of wheatgrowing. The deputation, on leaving the Ministers, felt that they had been given a sympathetic hearing, and expected an announcement of the price within a day or two. Afterwards, it was learned that the Prime Minister later received a deputation consisting of representatives of Federated Farmers, the New Zealand Flour Millers’ Society, and the New Zealand Poultry Board, and discussed the question of price. Shortly alter this, the Prime Minister announced an increase for the 1952-53 crop to 10s 9d a bushel, indicating that this price was based on the present price plus a further Is to cover any increased costs that might arise, at the same time stating that if increased costs exceeded this Is, then the excess would be added to the price to apply next year. The board of directors met to consider the Prime Minister's announcement, as the result of which they sent a telegram to the Prime Minister advising that they were gravely concerned at several features of his announcement, and in particular the small increase in price. They also expressed their keen disappointment at not having been consulted before the announcement had been made. The board advised the Prime Minister that it proposed to publish a statement on the matter, but that before doing so it would submit the same to him.

In the meantime, continued Mr McMillan, the Prime Minister left New Zealand and an acknowledgement was received from Mr W. H. Fortune, Minister assistant to the Prime Minister, who advised that the matter was one for the personal attention of the Prime Minister, and Mr Fortune asked whether the board would agree to delay publication until after his return. Upon the Prime Minister’s return it was decided to seek an interview with him. and this meeting was on April 8. when all members of the board were present with the exception of Mr L. Paterson. The discussion with the Prime Minister was full and frank and was followed by his newspaper statement. The Prime Minister agreed that a further investigation of the costs structure should be made at the same time stating that, if this examination revealed that wheatgrowing costs had increased materially, the Government would be prepared to review the price. Report Pending Mr McMillan went on to report that the Cereal Liaison Committee had set up a sub-committee consisting of Professor Flay, Mr J. S. Stanley, Mr W. W. Mulholland and himself to inquire into the wheat costs structure, and if necessary to bring down a recommendation. The sub-committee has since met and would report to the main committee.

Dealing with wheat variety allowances, Mr McMillan recalled that it had been agreed that the Jd allowance for Jumbuck could be discontinued. “Mainly on the advice of the Wheat Research Institute, however, it has also been decided,” said Mr McMillan, “to discontinue the premium of 2d a bushel on Hunters and 4d on Pearl and Velvet as from next harvest, it being considered that these wheats have no special attributes from the viewpoint of quality which warrant the payment of the premiums, and moreover, only an infinitesimal portion of the wheat area is represented by these varieties. The premium of 6d a bushel on Marquis and Is a bushel on Hilgendorf will continue next year.” A remit before the meeting urged that a bonus system for the payment of wheat based on increased production be introduced, and this was fully discussed by the meeting. Upon a show of hands, however, the idea of making a request for a bonus system was lost, it being considered that it was better in the general interest of all growers to request an increase in the wheat price. Compensation Fund

A letter was received from the Wheat Research Institute on a proposal to bring down legislation having the effect of extending the Wheat Research Institute Act for a further period of five years and of raising the present levy maximum of 2id per 50 bushels to a new maximum of 4d. with the understanding that the actual levy will not be increased without the consent of the contributing industries, obtained after further consultation with them. The meeting unanimously decided to support this proposal. Among further matters discussed was a report on the Wheatgrowers’ Compensation Trust Fund, giving a summary of claims met in each year since the scheme was first introduced with the 1943 crop, and a statement of the income received. The report showed that as at January 31, 1952, there was a balance of £41,029 in the fund. A report on the farm storage increment was laid on the table for the information of members of the Electoral Committee. This farm storage increment of 2d a bushel, paid in addition to ordinary monthly increments, is applicable to wheat stored on the farm where it is grown and delivered from farm to mill direct during the months of April to July.

Wild Ducks a Pest in Canada Alberta farmers were beset by a good many problems last season, and a lot of the crop was lost. One of the enemies that took heavy toll was the wild duck. So serious was this menace that in one area alone, the Vulcan hard-wheat country with its famous Elevator Row in Vulcan itself, it is conservatively estimated that farmers last autumn lost half a million dollars to these feathered invaders. That amount can be mutiplied across the province. The loss ran into millions. At a conference of farmers and Government officials it was resolved that the Government of Canada sponsor a duck extermination programme and, failing that, an adequate insurance programme be set up by the Federal Government to compensate the farmers for their lost