WHEAT PRICES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 20

WHEAT PRICES.

CONFERENCE AT ASHBURTON.. ASHBURTON, December 3. The most representative conference yet held in reference to the wheat problem was held here today, when 50 representatives were present from the North, Mid, and South Canterbury, and North Otago Executives of the Farmers’ Union, and delegates from the Board of Trade, the Wheat Board, the Poultrymen’s Association, millers, growers, and merchants. Mr J. —rown (president of the Mid Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union) presided. A report was submitted by a committee regarding recent negotiations with the Minister of Agriculture regarding the May agreement for 6s 5d per bushel for Tuscan, 6s 7d for Hunters, and 6s 9d for velvet wheat, f.0.b., sacks extra. The committee reported that the agreement was held in abeyance following a request by the millers that the following proposals bp included in the agreement : That the administrators of the 1925-26 agreement should undertake tho rationing of the wheat supply amongst the millers, and that alternatively thev should join with the millers in requesting the Goyment to take control of the sale and distribution of the 1925-26 wheat. Mr M'Millan (Ellesmere) moved: —“That the agreement be completed and the Minister be asked for his decision regarding an embargo for next season.”.After discussion the motion was withdrawn, and Mr J. D. Hall (North Canterbury) moved that the Government be asked to take control of the marketing of all the 1925-26 crop at 6s sd, 6s 7d, and 6s 9d per bushel, f.0.b., with appropiate monthly increments, from March 31. Mr Porter (Timaru) moved an amendment which was not seconded, that the prices be 7s, 7s 2d, and 7s 4d per bushel. Mr F. R. Corson, representing the millers, said that under Government control the maximum price of fowl wheat was twopence under the milling prices. Mr G. W. I/eadley, chairman of the Wheat Board, contended that Mr Hall’s motion did not protect the growers sufficiently. If the motion were carried farmers would lose all •control of their wheat. He favoured a representative board of control, as previous experience of Gov-ernment-control had proved unsatisfactory. What would happen when the agreement terminated? Would it be extended indefinitely? Those questions should be answered before a decision was reached. He had no sympathy with the man who wanted 10s because there was a scarcity, but they should consider what step they took very carefully. Mr Corson reminded the meeting that under the previous control there was an advisory committee of growers, millers, and merchants, and he know that if control were resumed a similar committee would come into being. The‘motion was carried with four dissentient voices. The conference then discussed the question of future prices. Mr M'Larhlan (Omihi) moved that in future farmers be left to market their own produce when, how, and where they chose. This was seconded pro forma, only the mover and seconder voting for it. Mr W. T. Lill (Ashburton) then moved that the Government be asked to take control for not less than three years, the price to bo fixed each year by the growers, millers and the Government not later than December 3. This was carried with three dissentient voices. Tho next motion bv Mr S. Smith (Oust, West Evreton) found no seconder. The motion rend: “That the price for the next crop (1926-1927) be fixed at, 7s on trucks, and 7s 4<l per bushel, f.0.b., for Tuscan, with an increment of jd from March 1.” Mr Corson said the millers were prepared to agree to the same price® for next year as those for this year in order to encourage mep extensive growing. Mr Meek (Oamaru) moved that tho price be 7s, 7s 2d, and 7s 4d per bushel, f.0.b., with an increment of Jd from March 31. An amendment was moved that the prices for 1926-1927 he as at present—6s sd, 6s 7d, and 6s 9d per bushel. Thi»

waa lost, as was a further one bv Mr LiU that tl»e prices be amended to 6s lOd, 7s, and 7s 2d per bushel. Mr Meek’s motion was carried. Mr Bruce (president of the New Zealand Poultry Association) tabled a motion that 561 b fowl wheat be 6d a bushel less. This was carried after the defeat of an amendment that the price be 3d less. Mr G. W. Clinkard, who represented the Government, said he would place the decisions of the conference before he Government. The conference, which met at 11 o’clock, concluded at 4.30, after appointing the following deputation to meet the Minister of Agriculture in regard to the 1926-1927 crop:—Messrs J. D. Hall, »J. Carr, W. Lilh and the South Canterbury representatives. CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 4. Messrs Pratt, Ireland, and Young, representatives of the New Zealand flourmillers, had a conference with the Minister of Agriculture to-day for the purpose of discussing with him the question of the marketing of the 1925-26 New Zealand wheat crop, and the procedure to be adopted in carrying out the arrangement made in May last, by which certain prices then agreed upon were to be given tor wheat. Negotiations are still in progress. The arrangement referred to was made between the millers and the growers, and it \yas approved by the Government. On May 19 last it was announced that the Cabinet had concurred in the agreement come to between the wheat growers and the millers as to the prices for this season’s wheat, the proposals being as follow: 1. Millers to pay for the crop that will be sown this year and harvested in the summer of 1925-26, the following to be the f.o.b. prices:—Tuscan 6s sd, Hunters 6s 7d, velvet 6s 9d per bushel. Any surplus over milling requirements was also to be purchased by the millers at these prices. 2. Flour was to remain at £'o per ton as at persent, and bran and poilard to be reduced £1 per ton to £7 and £3 respectively, all f.0.b., at the following South Island main ports: Lyttelton, Timaru, and Oamavu. The above prices were endorsed at yesconference at Ashburton. The t'uestion of imposing an embargo to prevent dumping from Australia is involved in the consideration of the wheat question. Last May the Minister of Agriculture stated that ar embargo on importation was considered to be the most practical means of preventing unfair competition, and he had been given power to apply this next year if it. were found necessary to protect the local hour industry. The prices agreed to at the May conference were considered to b e sufficiently remunerative to encourage farmers to grow wheat. If there were sufficient wheat grown in the Dominion it was dear that the Dominion would meet its own needs in Hour and by-products, and there would be no necessity for outside supplies. Thus the embargo would impose no hardship on the country as a whole.

AUCKLAND SHOW. AUCKLAND, December 4. The Auckland A. and P. Association’s Show opened in fine weather. The results of the dairy factory competition are as follow's:— Butter: Port Albert, 95£ points; Pio Pio, 95; East Tawaki, 94^; Maungaturoto, 94; Ruawai, 94; Oruru-Fairburn, 93£; Tairua, 93; Kaitieke, 39; Cambridge, 93; Matakana, 93; Mercury Bay, 92£; Whangarei, 925; Hauraki Plains, 92g; Bay of Islands, 92i; Rangitaiki Plains, Bay of Plenty. 92£; Cheddar Valley, 92; North Wairoa, 92; Rodney, 82; Marakopa, 92; Katikati, 92^; Hikurangi, 91£; Kaitaia, 91£; Morrinsville, 91£; Kaipara, 91£; Te Aroha, 91; Raglan, 91; Tpupiri, 90A ; Waitemata, 90g; Hakaru, 90. Cheese: Opouriao, 95 points; Cambridge fFencourt), 94£; Cambridge (Gricedale), 94; Cambridge (Monovale), 93A; Hauraki Plains, 93; Bruntwood, 92^; Tokoroa, 92£; New r Zealand Co-operative (Matatoki), 92£; New Zealand Co-operative (Rukuhia), 92; New Zealand Co-operative (Orini), 92; Kakepuku, 92; Waimaria, 91£; Tarawera, 91g; Toa Toa, 91; Tatua, 91; Cambridge (Hautapu), 91;'Opouriao (Ruatoki), 91; Sunny Park, 91. The following are the awards in the cattle section: — Pedigree Ayr.shires. -Champion cow', C. Bailey (Huntlv); bull, W. K. Law ton (Pukeoware). Friesians. —Champion cow', Waitemata Stud Farm; reserve champion, Piri Land Company, Taupiri.