WHEAT GROWERS' DEMANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 12

WHEAT GROWERS' DEMANDS

OUTSPOKEN REMARKS BY MINISTER OF COMMERCE. (Fhom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 20. Seme reference to the criticism 'evelled 3t the wheat-growers in respect of their demand for a fixed price of 63 3d for wheat by Mr Isitt, M.P., and others was made by the Minister of Commerce (the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald) yesterday. " It is very unfortunate," said Mr MacDonald, " that the members invited to attend the conference of wheat-growers in Christchurch did not realise that this was a Very important business, and, until an offer Was made to the farmers and rejected by them, I don't think therewas any need to Start a campaign of criticism against the farming community. Necessarily, in a very large conference such as this was, there were proportionately few speakers, and, as is usual jn such cases, tho speakers were people personally interested, who looked purely on the commercial side of the question. I pointed out to them very definitely that, whilst I agreed with them that it was essential that they should carry on their business on a sound financial basis, I did not consider it a fair proposition for them to try to obtain prices for their wheat on a parity with London prices in war time. I reminded them that wheat-growers and every other class of producers in New Zealand must recognise that they owe a 'duty to their country and to the flag under which they live, and that therefore it would be unfair for them to compare prices in New Zealand with the prices that would be asked by neutral countries who had no obligation to the flag. I felt quite sure, although this resolution was carried asking a fairly high price for wheat, that when the Government was able to place definite proposals before the farmers, we would arrive at a decision which would bo satisfactory to thp producer and the consumer. I distinctly told the conference that,' while we were prei)arcd to assist the wheat-growers' industry, f the wheat-growers could not submit prices that were reasonable and fair to the containing population, then, of course, neces-

sity would compel the Government of New Zealand to look elsewhere for supplies. I am still hopeful that after tho Board _of Trade has investigated the cost of growing and marketing wheat, the cost of milling, and the costs between the miller and the bread consumer, we shall be able to arrive at a satisfactory solution of the question." FEELING IN CIIRISTCHURCTL CHRISTCHURCH; December 20. The City Council to-night passed the : following motion: "That this council emphatically protests against tho proposed exploitation of the community by the wheat i producers and merchants, and strongly I urges the Government to take active steps I to protect tho people by commandeering the j whole of the wheat crop at a reasonable i price