WHEAT SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 12

WHEAT SUPPLIES

GROWERS DISCUSS SOME PROBLEMS EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF FLOUR SOUGHT IF NOT, THEN INCREASED DUTY Canterbury wheat-growers have decided to press for an embargo on the importation of Australian flour, fearing the effect otherwise upon the local wheat market and the future of the wheatgrowing industry. In the event of an embargo being refused by the Government, an increase in the duty on flour by £1 ss. per ton will be sought. BY TELEGBAPH.'—?BESS ASSOCIATION. Ashburton, December 2. Between seventy and eighty representatives of branches and provincial executives of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, A. and P associations, and wheat-growers in North, Mid, and South Canterbury, met to-day to discuss ptoblems in connection with the marketing of the new season’s wheat crop. The conference, which was convened by the Mid-Canterbury executive of the union, was presided over by the president of that body, Mr. J. Carr. The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken), who had been invited to attend, telegraphed that he thought it inadvisable for the Government to be represented at this stage, but he would be glad to hear the result of the conference. The Hon. W. Nosworthy advised that he could not attend owing to a prior engagement and the uncertain position in regard to the freezing industry Outline of Problem.

Mr. W. W. Mulholland outlined the problem as it faced growers to-day. He said, that thev would probably have between 7,000,000 and 8,000,000 bushels of wheat to be disposed of this coming season. Unless they had. some means of handling the surplus they were bound to see prices below the economic value. Another aspect of the problem was the relative value of imported wheat and flour. This needed adjustment. He referred to the proposed association of wheat-growers, that would be concerned in the first* place with obtaining information allowing members to determine the value. of their wheat. Further, the association should have power to remove any surplus of wheat from the market. From the point of view of the country, as. well as of wheat-growers, it would be disastrous if prices fell, say, 2s. 6d., as a result of the surplus. It would mean that the wheat crop the following year would fall by 50 per cent. If they were to solve the problems before them, they had to make up their minds to a settled policy. ’ Many aspects of the question were discussed by the conference, which sat from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Request tor Embargo.

Mr. G. W. Leadley moved and Mr. W. T. Lili seconded“ That considering the disparity in Australian flour quotations, viz., £l5 10s. per ton for '(Australian)' consumption, as against £l2 per ton for export, this meeting, representative of wheat-growers, views with considerable apprehension the effect upon our local wheat market and the future of the wheat-growing industry in New Zealand, and respectfully. urges upon the Government the necessity of imposing an embargo o.n the importation of flour.” On the suggestion of Mr. Carpenter (Rangiora), a clause was added, "that an embargo be applied until New Zealand wheat was all sold.” Mr.‘L. V. Talbot (Temuka) moved as an amendment: —“That the Government be asked to increase the duty on flour by £1 a ton, failing which the Government be asked to arrange a readjustment of the duties between wheat and flour.” Mr. McMillan (North Canterbury) seconded the amendment, which was lost by a substantial majority on a show of hands. The motion was carried. Growers’ Association to be Formed. Mr. Talbot then moved:—“That a Grain Growers’ Association be formed to obtain reliable information concerning grain statistics and values.” This was carried with one dissentient. / Mr. R. T. McMillan (North Canterbury) moved, Mr. J. McAnulty (Methven) seconded, and it was carried:— "That in the event of an. embargo being refused we ask for an increase on the duty on flour by 255. per ton.” The following deputation was appointed to place these matters before the Government :—Messrs. G. W. Leadley, A. M. Carpenter, and J. Carr, with a South Canterbury representative, to be appointed later. The final motion carried was that a committee be appointed to follow up the resolution forming a wheat-growers’ organisation, to consist of one representative from each of the provincial Farmers’ Union districts, and the Canterbury, Ashburton, and South Canterbury A. and P. Associations, such committee to have power to act as a wheat-growers’ executive, the North Canterbury executive to be convenor.