Freeze blackens Mid-Canterbury wheat outlook

Press, 25 February 1983, Page 3

Freeze blackens Mid-Canterbury wheat outlook

PA Ashburton A huge reduction in the amount of wheat grown in Mid-Canterbury next year will be evident because of the Government's, about-face on price setting, according to the chairman of the agriculture section of Mid-Canter-bury Federated Farmers, Mr A. G. Wright. He said yesterday that arable farmers were upset that the Government had reentered the price-setting field.

"The recent decision that the price freeze should apply to this year's crop is most unsatisfactory," said Mr Wright. The Government had dishonoured a business agreement with wheat farmers. The Mid-Canterbury agriculture section felt so strongly about the matter that it had arranged a meeting of wheatgrowers in Ashburton on March 9, he said. Mr Wright said that he hoped for a big turn-out of wheat farmers so that the Government could see that

they meant business. Two main issues will be discussed: the price freeze on wheat and the amount of wheat that will be grown in view of the Government interference this year. Invitations have been sent to two local members of Parliament, Mr R. L. G. Talbot and Miss Ruth Richardson; the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Templeton; and the Associate Minister of Agriculture, Mr Austin.