WHEAT CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 14

WHEAT CONFERENCE

SETTLEMENT ARRIVED AT. CHRISTCHURCH, February 27. A conference of delegates from the various wheat growing districts of Canterbury e.nd Otago was held to-day to consider tho question of making a recommendation to the Government respecting the price of wheat for 1921. Mr D. Jones, M.P., president of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union, presided. Mr W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture) was present. It was decided that the proceedings be held in camera. Before the press representatives withdrew the Chairman stated that some feeling had bean engendered amongst wheat-growers as the result of the last conference. The feeling had been that farmers were not getting market rat-?s. He wished to emphasise the fact that the committee appointed did not go back on the larger meeting. The r&prcwntatives of the Board of Trade had placed before the meeting the price at which they could land Australian wheat in New Zealand. The Government had had offers of wheat below tho cabled market price from Australia. The committee closed with the Prime Minister upon the.basis of the price at which the New 2iealand Government could land wheat from the commonwealth. The Minister conferred for about two hours with the delegates. The official report afterwards given to tho press was that a settlement had been arrived at, which would be made public after Mr Nosworthy had had an opportunity of discussing it" with his > colleagues. The Press Association understands unofficially that to-day's Wheat Conference arranged that the next season's prices should be the prices as fixed for this season's crop—namely, 7s 3d, 7s 6d. 7s 9d per bushel, but at- f.o.b. No official announcement is forthcoming to-night. EXPLANATION BY WHEAT CONTROLLER. CHRISTCHURCH, February 28. During the conference yesterday on the wheat-price question, Mr D. Jones, president of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union, referred roost appreciatively to the way in which Mr W. G. M'Donakl, Wheat Controller, had carried out his duties. He moved: —"That the hearty thanks of the farming community be tendered to Mr M'Donakl." "The motion was seconded bv Mr M'PherBon. of O'amaru, and carried unanimously with enthusiasm. At tho request of Mr G. W. Twentyman,

chairman of the Temuka branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, for details as regards the wheat bought, by the New k Zealand Government from Australia, Mr M'Donald "Wheat Controller) replied as follows: "Replying to your letter of the 4th inst, re cost to the Government of wheat,bought in Australia and its cost ; n Timaru, I have to state that the Government bought the wheat in Australia at 5s 7id, f.0.b., Williamstown. The cost ex ship at present, allowing for 35s freight, is approximately 6s 7d. The duty is a -little than od. so that if the duty were added the cost at Timaru would be approximatelv 7s Id. The point I made at the conference was that if this wheat were landed at Auckland and sold at 7s Id the southern miller could not afford to Rive more than 6s 7d for New Zealand wheat and compete in the sale of flour with the North Island millers." A deputation was appointed to verify the figures and statements regarding- Australian wheat made by Mr M'Donald (Wheat Controller), at the wheat conference held in Christchureh on January 17. The deputation waited on Mr M'Donald, when he submitted the original documents bearing on this question, and qujte satisfied the deputation. The Chairman that all statements made at that conference bv him were in accordance with the facts produced.