STORAGE OF WHEAT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28793, 14 January 1959, Page 7

STORAGE OF WHEAT

Government Help Asked For

Unless the Government assists in present wheat storage problems, future wheat areas in Mid-Canterbury may be cut considerably.

This was the feeling expressed by farmers, brokers and millers, who attended an emergency meeting of the agricultural section of the Mid-Canterbury branch of Federated Farmers in Ashburton last evening. The meeting was called to discuss the problems of storing this season’s wheat harvest, brought about by much bigger crops this than in previous years. The farmers reported that they wanted to. get all the wheat off their hands, but the millers were unable to store it unless the Government bore the increased interest charges. Mr D. M. Bruce moved that a telegram be sent to the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) asking for the Government’s co-operation. Mr Bruce said that several attempts had been made to meet the minister, but the earliest date that could be made was February 5 This was most unsatisfactory, he said

Mr J. Davidson said that if the Government did not co-operate the only solution would be for farmers to grow other crops. Barley was far better as a paying proposition, he said. The chairman of the Flour millers’ Society (Mr H. Worral) said that in the past millers had been supplied with wheat from Australia, receiving it in “'twomonthly shipments. As the millers have not sufficient funds to buy the farmers’ total wheat crops—enough to keep some mills going for 18 months—the storage problem has fallen on the farmers’ shoulders.

Millers have the storage capacity for the wheat, but the Government would have to bear the increased interest charge, said Mr Worral.

Several members suggested that the present total increment of 9d a bushel for wheat stored on farmers’ properties should be paid to millers, so as to enable them to store the wheat.