THE NEW SEASON’S WHEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18760, 13 January 1923, Page 10

THE NEW SEASON’S WHEAT

CONFERENCE OF GROWERS. DISCUSSION REGARDING PRICES; (Peb United Press Association./ ASHBURTON, January 12. Tho wheat growers of South, MM, and North Canterbury were strongly represented at a conference in Ashburton to-day, the deliberations relating to the fixing of wheat prices for the season’s harvest. Tho conference was convened by the provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union in the districts mentioned. Mr G. W. Leadley (local president) occupied the chair. The question was discussed in committee in the forenoon, and the following report of ■ tho proceedings was subsequently supplied:— 1. That we agree to support any effort TRpuda to got the embargo on Australian flour continued. 2. That wo are of opinion that wheat is ,/worth a minimum of 5s 6d per bushel, f.0.b., at the opening of the season. ■ In the afternoon the conference was continued, with the inclusion of the merchants’ and millers’ representatives. The merchants agreed to give their support to the suggestion that the embargo on Australian flour bd continued, and the demands that 5s 6cl, f.Oib., be paid for 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 ho reason why a satisfactory price should pot be obtained by the growers, but the suggested price of 5s 6d was absolutely dependent on the continuation of the eralhargo. The foundation of any arrangement should bo a continuation of tho embargo »nd an assurance that farmers who had to sell wheat for export would be no. worse off than thosp who sold to millers. It was poiiited out that if the Government was •forced to continue the embargo it would probably fix tho price for flour and bread. The meeting decided that a joint committee of all the interests involved meet in Christchurch on a date to bo fixed to further discuss tho matter. In tho meantime, the result of tho present conference will bo forwarded to tho Government, with a request for an expression of its policy in the jnattor.