IMPORTANT WHEAT CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2955, 15 December 1916, Page 10

IMPORTANT WHEAT CONFERENCE

THE DOMINION'S CROP. ' By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, December 14. An important conference between representatives of the wheat-growers and the Hon. AV. D. S. Mac Donald (Minister of Agriculture) is being held at Christelnirch. Tbe proceedings are' in camera. As a result of to-day's discussion, it is understood that though the Minister did not make direct proposals to' the growers, he • intimated that the: Government recognised that something would have to be done in connection with the wheat'industry, and they were prepared'to consider any proposals that the conferenco made. The opinion of delegates was practically rnanimous that the Government should take over the entire wheat crop of the Dominion, and it was resolved'that the wheatgrowers would undertake to grow the wheat necessary, and offer it to the' Government, provided a wvtisfactory price could be arranged, and that sufficient labour was forthcoming. An important suggestion was also' made that the Government should take over the control of the wheat right up to the time it was converted :nto breadstuffs, the idea being' that; by ' this means undue profits could be prevented when getting the bread into tho hands of consumers, At the conclusion of the conference' a committee was elected consisting of representatives from each district, to discuss what would be a fair price growers to ask for their wheat. This was eventually agreed v iipon and submitted to the Minister, but was not publicly disclosed. Mr. Mac Donald will consult with tho Board of Trade on tho offer, and their | recommendations will be forwarded to Cabinet. _ The Hon. Mr. Mac Donald left for Wellington to-night, v.'