THE WHEAT INDUSTRY

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 13

THE WHEAT INDUSTRY

BOARD OF TRADE AND GROWERS CONFER. GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF STIELD SUGGESTED. CHRISTCHURCII, December 11. An important conference was opened today' between the Board of Trade and representatives of the principal wheat growing districts of the South Island. The Ron. W. D. S. MacDonald (Minister of Agriculture) presided over a very representative gatherins;. The proceedings were taken in camera. It is understood that though the Minister did not make any direct proposals to the growers, he intimated that the Government recognised that something would have to be done in connection with the wheat industry, and it was prepared to consider any proposals that the conference mad". The opinion of delegates was practicallv unanimous that the Government should trke over the entire wheat crop of the dominion, and it was resolved that the wheat growers undertake to grow the wheat necessary and offer it to the Government provided a satisfactory price could bo arranged, and that sufficient labour was forthcoming. An important suggestion was also made that the Government should take over the control of the wheat right up to the time it was converted into breadstuff's, the idea being that by this means undue profit could be prevented in getting the bread into ths hands of the consumers. At the conclusion of the conference a committee was elected consisting of representatives from each district to discuss what would be a fair price for the growers to ask for their wheat. This was eventually agreed upon, and submitted to the Minister, but r.ot publicly disclosed. Mr MacDonald will consult with the Board of Trade on the offer, and its recommendations will be forwarded to the Cabinet. Mr MacDonald returned to Wellington tonight

VALUATION OF WOOL.

The arrangements at Duncdin in connection with the first valuation of wool under the Government requisitioning scheme are practically complete. Growers generally arc mooting the brokers in a generous and practical manner, the brokers in most instances receiving full discretion in regard to the values placed on the clips. Valuers naturally have a difficult task ahead of them, but the experience gained in the iiort':> is certain to be of great benefit to them. All the valuers for the Otago accumulating centre, which includes .Southland, have not yet been appointed, but it is understood that Mr Denny, of Messrs J. W. Swift and Co., has been appointed supervising valuer, with Messrs 11. Hull (Bradford) and A. Nichols (Ghristchurch) as assistant*. It is understood also that Mr G. Provost, of Adelaide, who has for years been actively identified with the French and Bradford wool trade, will assist, and that other appointments will bo made as found necessary. The valuers will work from the schedule of prices agreed upon at the Wellington conference, but they will havo power to exceed

or go below these prices should the circumstances demand it. The Growers' Committee on Saturday conferred with the brokers and valuers, and a gentleman was cbosen to act as arbitrator. If he agrees to act, the appointment will have to be submitted to the Government for approval.