THE PRICE OF WHEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18297, 13 January 1923, Page 10

THE PRICE OF WHEAT.

CANTERBURY CONFERENCE. MINIMUM OF 5s 6d A BUSHEL. EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION. . [BX TELKQBAPH;.— ASSOCIATION.] ' ASHBUBTON. Friday. Wheat growers of South and North Canterbury were strongly represented at a conference in Ashburton to-day. Deliberations concerned 'the fixing of wheat prices for the season's harvest. ' The conference was convened by the provincial executive of the Farmers' Union in the districts mentioned. The question was discussed in committee in the forenoon and the following report of the proceedings was subsequently supplied i— 1 " That wo agree to support any effort made to get the embargo on Australian flour continued; that we are of opinion that wheat is worth a minimum of 63 6d per bushel f.o.b. atl the opening of the season. In the afternoon the conference was continued with the inclusion of representatives of the merchants and millers. The merchants agreed to give support to the suggestion, that the embargo on Australian flour be continued and the demand that 5s 6d f.o.b. be paid for the wheat at the beginning of the season. : Tho view of the millers was .-that,' if

the Government could be induced to continue the embargo on Australian flour, there was no reason why a satisfactory price should not be obtained by growers, &9t it was suggested • that the price of 5s 6d was absolutely dependent on the continuation of the embargo. The foundation of any-arrangement should be a. continuation of the embargo and an assurance that farmers who* had to sell wheat for export would bo no worse .'off thaji those who sold to millers. It was pointed out that, if the Government was forced to continue the embargo it would probably fix the price for flour arid bread. - • v ; The meeting decided that a joint committee of all the interests involved should meet in Christchurch at a later date to discuss the matter further. In the meantime the result of the present conference will be forwarded to the Government with a request for an expression of its policy in the matter.