PURCHASE OF WHEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 13

PURCHASE OF WHEAT

FURTHER PROTEST MADE LOWER PRICE AVAILABLE OFFER OF VICTORIAN FIRM A statement that the largest shipper of wheat in Victoria did not have the opportunity of quoting when the New Zealand Government recently purchased milling wheat in Australia was made at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Further protest was voiced at the Government's purchase, and it was decided that information secured by the secretary, Dr. E. P. Neale, who returned from Australia on Tuesday, should be incorporated in a letter and sent to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, asking for his comment. Among other things, the letter stated: —

"Dr. Neale visited Melbourne a littler over a fortnight ago, and while there met Mr. C. Judd, manager of the Victorian Wheat Corporation. This corporation is the largest shipper of Victorian wheat. Dr. Neale was surprised to learn from Mr. Judd that he had no opportunity of quoting in connection with the recent New Zealand purchase of approximately 850,000 bushels in Australia, more especially as it would appear that the Victorian Wheat Corporation was prepared at the time to quote at a lower price, for the same grade of wheat under the same conditions, than the price which New Zealand is believed to have paid for its purchase.

"Wo havo no authoritative information as to the exact date of the New Zealand order being placed, but if information published is correct, it would appear to have been the last week of June. At that date the Victorian Wheat Corporation was quoting to Japan at 3s 2d a bushel, for the same quality wheat under the same conditions as the New Zealand Government apparently bought. The corporation's consignment for Japan came forward from the Wimmera district at the same time as the consignment for New Zealand, and was loaded at a wharf opposite to that at which the New Zealand shipment was loaded. "Mr. Judd informed our secretary that had he had an opportunity of quoting for 500,000 bushels he would have been prepared to charge 3s lgd a bushel, as at that date ho had so much wheat on the water on consignment as to make him sufficiently uneasy to be prepared to accept a low firm price. We have no authoritative information as to the exact price paid by the New Zealand Government for this wheat, but it is generally understood in grain circles in Victoria that the average price paid was substantially higher than 3s lJd." It was decided to send the letter to the Minister.

GRAIN FOR POULTRY FOOD ACCEPTANCE OF "HALF A LOAF" Brisk comment was voiced by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday concerning the Government's decision, as a concession, to import at an early date a quantity of wheat for poultry food and sell it to North Island merchants at 5s 3d a bushel ex wharf. Mr. Harvey Turner said the trade felt that the decision was a gesture by the Government admitting it was wrong in its attitude in the past regarding fowlwheat, and it was thought therefore that the Government should not be attacked too strongly. Although fowlwheat should be admitted free, the present offer was a compromise by the Government with its friends in the South. Mr. Gainor Jackson: Should we leave it at that? Does it not appear as a further unwarranted interference in business ?

Amidst laughter Mr. Jackson continued : "Wo must not let the Government get away with it. Why can we not import under licence ?" The president, Mr. A. M. Seaman: They won't let you. I think it is a case where we should take our half-loaf. The following motion by Mr. A. G. Lunn was carried: —"That this chamber entirely disapproves of the principle of the Government's buying wheat. It appreciates the Government's recognition of the necessity for fairer treatment of the poultry producer and respectfully urges that more liberal treatment be accorded to the industry."