PRICE OF WHEAT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 15

PRICE OF WHEAT

CONFERENCE OF FARMERS. MARKETING ASSOCIATION SUGGESTED. Per Press Association. ASHBURTON, April 15. 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 large attendance, which was presided over byMr Joliii Brown, president of the midCanterbury executive of the Farmers’ Union. The conference was the outcome of a suggestion by the Ashburton Farmers’ Union. The matter of wheat production was discussed at considerable length, and the following resolution carried unanimously: “This conference is of opinion that unless something is done to assist wheat growers 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 Ills products, and to ensure a continuance of wheat growing on a scale sufficient for the Dominion's growing requirements, the conference requests the Government should either reimpose the embargo on flour or levy a dumping duty on further importations.” It was decided to telegraph the resolution to the Government immediately. and that Messrs J. Carr (midCanterbury), G. Sheat (North Canterbury), and P. R. Talbot (Sonth Canterbury), with representatives on tho wheat areas on the Dominion executive, wait oil the Minister for Agriculture in Wellington next w-eelc. Regarding marketing, Mr S. Smith (Oust) said lie had received the suggestion from a miller and grower that farmers should form a wheat pool with full legal status, and in charge of a wheat controller and hoard. The objects of the pool would be 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. The prices would he fixed on a fair and equitable basis compared with other farm products. The manner of fixing prices would have to receive Government sanction. In case of shortage reserves should be imported by the pool, and in case of a surplus the balance should he exported, if possible, in the form of flour, and to conserve mill offals for Dominion use. With regard to finance each farmer

should he levied jd per bushel, and millers bonded to the extent of 5 per cent, on yearly requirements. The fowl wheat position lo be arranged on a. similar equitable basis. Mr Smith suggested that something on these lines he tried. After considerable discussion it was resolved: “That it is desirable to appoint a committee of three from each provincial district to inquire as to a form of organisation necessary to enable farmers to market their products and develop their industry, and !ha' the indivisible funds in the hands o. the Wheat. Board he used for that'pup pose, and that the committee should oooperate with the Wheat Board.”