PRICE OF WHEAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17881, 29 August 1918, Page 4

PRICE OF WHEAT.

DISCUSSION BY FARMERS’UNION?

GOVERNMENT PRICES FOR NEXT^

TWO YEARS WANTED.

' ] At yesterday’s meeting of 'thflf North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union the president (Mr D. Jones) referred to the wheat question. He said that he desired to make it clear that the suggested alteration id the price from 6s 4d a busUel ana a free market to an average price of 7rf a bushel originated with the Ministei in charge, and not with the farmers* The Government had, however, revert* ed to the price of 6s 4d ana a free market. The purchase of 4,000,000 bushels from Australia without acem rate knowledge of the area to be sowd in New Zealand was a plain indication that the Government intended to flood the market if it could get the freight, and thus tended to materially diminish the area of spring-sown wheat. The Darfield branch wrote forward** ing a copy of a resolution urging the Government to at once make publia the prices for 1919 and 1920 wheat, aa definite information was necessary he* fore solving arrangements could ha made; Otherwise there would be a marked wheat shortage. The chairman said the suggestion was a timely one. The Government had at last arrived at one mind on one aspect of the question, for it was importing wheat, and they should be thankful, perhaps that the Government had arrived at a point where it was taking any action whatever. He moved tha adoption of the resolution.

Mr D. Bates said that there wera difficulties in the way of fixing prices so'far ahead. The labour difficulty was continually intensifying. A con-* ference oh the subject would be bene* ficial.

Mr W. A. Banks suggested that tha Government should bo asked to make its decision by November next at tha latest.

Mr F. G. Horrell Baid that November 1 would be too late. His patience was exhausted by the shilly-shallying of the Government. The price should be fixed immediately. Mr R. Evans asked if It was any use doing anything The Government had not vet gazetted its last promise on the subject. It was no use blaming one Minister,' but if the speaker were Minister of Agriculture, and Cabinet would not agree to his proposals on such a subject, he would pull out altogether. Subject to duty and other ordinary ’charges, Australian wheat cost 7s 4d per bushel landed in New Zealand, but it was being sold hero at 6s sid per bushel. It was not fair competition to ship and land tha wheat, under special circumstances. Ihe chairman replied that the union dealt, only with the Minister. It expected the Minister. to carry out his promises. . Judgment might be suspended till it was definitely ascertained what a “free market” meant. After that farmers would take steps to protect their interests. He' added that the Wheat Committee had had no replies from communications to the Government, and had no report to make, liiey were in the humiliating position of dealing with men who could not treat the subject in a businesslike manner. . If the Government did not carry out its promises within the next three months, facts would be disclosed which would cause a flutter in the political dovecotes.

Mr F. Cullen suggested that the Government should provide tractors to enable farmers to sow wheat. The whole community was paying the loss on the Government’s imported wheat transactions.

Mr G. W. Leadley supported tho motion, hut expressed regret that a similar proposal made by himself recently was not supported by members in Wellington. The Minister should bo told that no wheat, or very littlo wheat, would be grown unless a definite pronouncement were maae.

The motion was carried, and the president was authorised to write to tho Minister on the subjeot. A further resolution from Darfield. branch, that the Government should ha asked to instruct millers to obtain a higher percentage of flour from wheat, to conserve supplies, was briefly discussed} the opinion being expressed by members that this was not yet necessary.

Mr R. Kippenberger said that it was better economy to feed human beings on food from wheat than to feed pigs. If the percentage was raised from" the present 12 per cent and 15 per cent to 20 per cent, no harm would be done. There would be less compulsion if less wheat were needed. He moved the adoption of the resolution. Mr W. A. Banks seconded the motion. He said it would mean an annual saving of 700,000 bushels of wheat.

Mr J. Bailey said that It would mean the lowering of the flour standard rand the importation of Australian flour. The motion was lost on a division.