WHEAT GROWING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16619, 24 December 1924, Page 4

WHEAT GROWING.

CONFERENCE OF FARMERS

(Per Press Association.) ASHBURTON, last night-

The Minister for Agriculture met a deputation representing the executives of the Farmers’ Union in the wheat-growing districts at- Ashburton to-day. The deputation took flic form of a round-table- conference, whereat the delegates expressed (he views of the, farmers, whom it was represented should receive the utmost possible encouragement- to remain in the industry, so that New Zealand should not become entirely dependent on outside sources fo-r supplies of such an essential commodity as wheat. A icquest also was made that the embargo on Australian flour he continued until September next, in order (that the- local product be used up by the millers before the Australian flour is marketed in New Zealand.

The Minister recalled the promises he had made to the Wheat Conference in .March last that, after February next, Governmont control would cease, and that the embargo on importation would ho lifted and duties of Is 3d per bushel on wheat and £3 per lorn on flour would bo imposed, also, if the circumstances warranted it, a dumping. duty on imported flour would be imposed. The Government, said the Minister, bad no intention of revoking its announced decision on any of these points. All the necessary arrangements and the duties mentioned ■ were to become- applicable from March 1. The relinquishment of Government control -of prices was a matter of settled policy, and therefore it was quite useless to ask for a- continuance of tho embargo oil the importation of Australian wheat and flour. The Minister pointed out that, on tile- present prospects, farmers should -receive considerably more than the 6s per bushel asked' by them in February last. He considered that, for the present season, at any rate, wheat-growing would be remunerative.