FARMERS' UNION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 273, 22 December 1914, Page 11

FARMERS' UNION.

THE WHEAT CROP.

GOVERNMENT'S STANDARD PRICE. The North Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met today, Mr C. H. Ensor presiding. There were also present:—Messrs G. Sheat, A. J. Bell, Isaac Andrew, C. Benjamin, J. Foster, and G. Newton. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) wrote stating that the union's representations in regard to supplies of wheat for next winter would receive due consideration. Mr Ensor said that when -the standard price of wheat was fixed the union made no objection, because the small farmers had sold practically all their wheat. But now they had to face the coming year. Last year the small farmers had a very bad year, getting from 3/4 to 3/8, and in . the coming year they wanted to be careful that the small farmers were protected against any fixed prices. He noticed that in Australia the Government was going to commandeer all Wheat at 5/- per bushel. The farmers there had had a very bad season, and the consequence was they were working at less than cost price. During the coming year the union should take .care that the small farmers in New Zealand were protected. Mr George Sheat said there were two sides to the question. The farmers did not want to fatten on the woes of a nation. They were patriotic. He recognised that while a man sold his labour in the highest market, the farmer was restricted., They must, he thought, rise to the : occasion as Britishers. If the Government guaranteed 5/3 per bushel, that should be satisfactory. It had been stated that farmers in the Dunsandel district were holding wheat. That was absolutely incorrect. In regard to the question of the coming crop, would it not be fixed by the regulation in force at the present time that wheat should be 5/3 per bushel ? - A Voice: I hope not. The Chairman: That is the question we will have to consider mighty seriously.

Mr.Sheat said he did not think from what he had seen that in Canterbury they were going to average for wheat more than a: i2orbushel crop. The only place where he had seen good wheat was on the banks of the Waimakariri. Five shillings per bushel would not be .an exorbitant price to the grower, but they had had to face this fact: that they were up against a food shortage. He did not believe the wheat that would be grown in New Zealand this year would be enough to provide food for our own people. That was a deplorable, state of affairs in a country such as this. They had to find the real cause, and the real cause was the unrest between Capital and Labour. They were turning New Zealand into a sheep; walk. He was sorry New Zealand should j have got into the position it was in to-day | of having to import wheat. As to the prices fixed, had thp rate not already been! broken? He had .been told that wheat! had been sold at 5/3 per bushel and that an exorbitant price had been charged for j the sacks. While the fanners did not, want to fatten on the position that had arisen they were faced with a very grave difficulty. The Chairman: Exactly what I say, Mr Sheat. That is the point we have to consider very seriously.

Mr Newton moved that the Government be approached and asked that the standard price of wheat should not apply to the new season's crop, the prices for which should be those ruling in the world's markets. The farmer, he said, did not wish to fatten. The position was the crops would be so small this year that they would have to get enhanced prices to make it pay. Mr Andrews supported the suggestion of the last speaker. He considered the -prices should be those fixed-by the world's