WHEAT CROP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 29 October 1925, Page 4

WHEAT CROP

QUESTION OF CONTROL

(He TeNerauh.- -Special to The Mail-'

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 28

If the Government lakes control of the wheat- yield in the coming season- the prices to he fixed are not likely to be, minimum hut maximum ones. This was the opinion expressed at a meeting this, afternoon ot tin* executive ot the North Canterbury district of the New Zealand Farmers' Union by a member ot the. Wheat Board, which has been

negotiating with the Government. on the question. The chairman (Mr *J- UDull) said that there wtw uncertainty in the minds of growers as to the possible film (if control over the pending wheat \ ield. An idea was that there would he Government control with it minimum price. T do not think there could he any siieli thing as a control scheme with a minimum price.' declared Mr \\ . W. Mullinllar.il. who is a member of the Wheat Board. The chairman: "Many growers consider that if growers' maximum prices are li.xed should there he a deficit in the yield, the rates between merchants will he much higher."

Mr Mulholland said he did not think minimum prices were likely to he fixed h,r e.-verai reasons. Last, season most growers were loyal to (he agreement and

sold t iieir milling wheat at fixed prices. Other growers held back their supplies until late in the season and sold stocks a.- fowl wheat at enhanced prices. Had all the growers held hack their wheat. |( ~; would have been the result. '1 In* system of minimum prices laid nT wc died sweetly and the Governmet t was n.il iiki Iv to consent to minimum prices. If there were to he control it had to he absolute, otlierwi.se there would have to he a lice market.

Asked what was the attitude of the Wheat Board Mr Mullmllniid said i( felt- that the only way out. of the difficulty was. Government control. 'I here was, i'o chance of getting authority for ■i growers' organisation to control a scheme. In about 10 days official figures would he published concerning the acreage. These were likely to show a big deli, it.

It was stated that branetiesi of the onion had been communicated with, on iln> subject. It was decided to defer consideration of the marketing problem until all replies are received.