GROWERS OF WHEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18994, 16 April 1925, Page 8

GROWERS OF WHEAT.

APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE.

DUMPING DUTY WANTED. SUGGESTED MARKETING POOL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PKKBS ASSOCIATION.] ASIIBUBTON. Wednesday A conference of farmers from all parts of Canterbury, North Otago and Southland was held to-day* to discuss matters in connection with the wheat position and the advisability of establishing a marketing association or information bureau. There was a largo attendance, presided over by Mr. John Brown, president of the Mid-Canterbury executive of the Farmers' Union. The conference was the outcome of a suggestion by the Asliburton Farmers' Union.

Wheat production was discussed at considerable length, and the following resolutions were carried unanimously:— "That the conference is of opinion hat unless something is done to assist wheatgrowers the area in wheat for 1926 will be further substantially reduced. That in order to overcome the present deadlock in the wheat situation and secure for the New Zealand wheat-grower a fair price for his products, and to ensure a continuance of wheat-growing on a scale sufficient for the Dominion's growing requirements, the conference requests that the Government should either reimpose the embaigo on (lour or levy a dumping duty on further importations." It was decided to telegraph the resolutions to the Government immediately, and that Messrs. J. Carr (Mid-Canterbury), G. Sheat (North Canterbury), and P. R. Talbot (South Canterbury), with representatives from wheat areas on the Dominion executive, wait on tho Minister for Agriculture in Wellington next week. Regarding marketing, Mr. S. Smith (Cust) said he had received a suggestion from millers and growers that farmers should form a wheat pool, with full legal status and in charge of a wheat controller and board. The objects of the pool would bo to sell to millers and poultrymen at fixed prices, all sales to go through one control, overlapping and unnecessary railage to be avoided, brokerage reduced to a minimum, monthly increment, and in all cases milling wheat to rule above fowl wheat prices. Prices would be fixed on a fair and equitable basis, compared with other farm products. The manner of fixing prices would have to receive Government sanction. In the case of a shortage, reserves should be imported by the pool and in the case of a surplus the balance should be exported, if possible, in the form of flour, in order to conserve mill by-products for Dominion use.

With regard to finance, each farmer should be levied per bushel arid millers bonded to the extent of 5 per cent, on the yearly requirements. The fowl wheat portion would be arranged on a similar equitable basis. Mr. Smith suggested that something on these lines should be tried.

After considerable discussion, it was resolved : "That it. is desirable to appoint a committee of three from each provincia' district to inquire as to the form of the organisation necessary to enable farmers to market their products and develop their industry, and that the committee should co-operato with the wheat board."