GROWERS NOT UNANIMOUS,

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 870, 23 November 1916, Page 11

GROWERS NOT UNANIMOUS,

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT'S BEST OFFER. [Special to The Sun.] WELLINGTON, November 22. The wool-growers were not unanimous in approval of the Imperial Government's amended offer for the New Zealand clip, but unofficial reports indicate that the result of today's conference was not in doubt after the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. 1). S. Mac Donald) had stated the position. The new offer was the best that the Imperial authorities were prepared to make, and the growers were able to understand from the Minister's remarks that although the wool was not actually being commandeered the Imperial Government had got to have it. The communications that have been received by the New Zealand Government on the subject are quite definite on that point. The scale of prices accepted by the conference is stated to represent an advance of 55 per cent, on the 191314 prices, that is, an additional 10 per cent, over the increase of 15 per cent, originally offered. Several of the growers protested during the discussion that the actual market value of their wool represented an advance of from 04 to 70 per cent, on the pre-war prices, and that they should not be required to make any "loss" at all. But the sentiment of the conference was in favour of the acceptance of what was recognised to be a highly favourable offer. Speaking to your correspondent later, several of the delegates stated that the feeling of the great majority of the growers was strongly against any haggling over prices, though they had felt that the original offer was not equitable in its incidence. The general conditions of the deal, .apart from the question of price, are recognised to be highly favourable to the growers, who will receive cash for their wool and will be relieved of all anxiety regarding shipping facilities, freight, etc. The Government, as has been explained already, intends to make use of the existing organisation for the colleeLion, classing and shipping of the wool. Delegates mentioned that they were watching with some interest to see what would happen in Australia, where it is understood that negotiations for the purchase of the Commonwealth's clip on behalf of the Imperial Government are in progress.

APPREHENSION OF GROWERS. [Special to The Sun.] WELLINGTON, November 22. There was apparently a strong desire on the part of conference members to meet the Government in the matter. At the same time there was also a pronounced feeling that some of the interests in England might he obtaining very considerable bencfils at the expense of New Zealand farmers. This apprehension was engendered by the knowledge that the producers of Ibis country had undoubtedly been exploited by the middlemen in England in connection with the commandeering of meat. The prices agreed upon are considerably below the riding market rales, but growers realised that, in meeting the Government, they were acting in the best interests of the Empire. In

view of Mr Massey's reply to a deputation that waited upon him in August last, sheep owners were naturally anxious to know whether the Australian and South African clips were going to be treated in the same way as that in which the New Zealand clip was being treated. On that occasion Mr Massey, speaking with regard lo the rumour that the British Government proposed to commandeer the Dominion's wool clip, said that if the British Government had had any such intention he would have heard of it long before, lie did not think that there was occasion for the slightest fear on the part of the producers. This reply drew from a member of the deputation a remark to the effect that the British Government would commandeer the wool when it reached Home. To this Mr Massey replied: —"lf they do that, they will have lo pay the market price for it. They cannot commandeer from one part of his Majesty's dominions without taking the lot; and if they had wanted to do so the Government would haev heard of it long ago." In the light of this statement ihe recent developments are regarded as being somewhat bewildering. It is considered that the prices agreed upon will be satisfactory to Canterbury farmers, especially to those growers of sorts finer than -18's. One of the difficulties that the conference had to face arose out of circumstances resulting from the Prime Minister's statement. After this had been made large numbers of sheep had been bought and sold on the then existing prices of wool. It is staled, moreover, that the sales forward of lambs have been unprecedented. Buyers will now have to face a lesser price for the wool from such lambs than that which they had anticipated. The fact, however, remains that in taking over the entire clip, the Government has relieved growers of all anxiety in connection with the shipping and the marketing of wool. The Government proposes to pay cash upon delivery at the ports. The actual number of ports of delivery has not yet been settled, but the proposition Was made that each of the ports where sales have customarily been held should be the port of delivery, as usual. It is probable that some other ports will be included in this list, especially in the North Island.

A DELEGATE'S VIEWS. EFFECTS OF THE AGREEMENT. Mr 0. H. Eosor, one of the Sheepowners' representatives at Hie conference, returned from Wellington this morning. In conversation with a Sun representative, Mr Ensor expressed the opinion that although the conference had committed wool growers to prices helow the ruling market rales, the action would be approved by those interested, inasmuch as it would tend to keep wool values from soaring further. Now that the Imperial Government had secured the New Zealand clip, it would he able to regulate prices and prevent any further speculation. Another feature of the agreement was that it would eliminate the market fluctuations of sheep. Farmers now knew exactly what they would get for their meat and for their wool, and if, having this knowledge, they indulged in speculative dealings, the blame would lie entirely at their own doors. In accepting prices below current rates, Mr Ensor was emphatically of opinion that farmers were doing the right thing at a time when loyalty to the Empire was so urgently needed. It was now for Labour to follow the farmers' example, and ask only what was reasonable and fair, without seeking to further embarrass the Government and the country.

The deal completed yesterday by the conference and the Minister of Agriculture was, continued Mr Ensor, the biggest wool deal in history, embracing a sum approximating fourteen or fifteen millions sterling. He hid every confidence that the machinery for handling the "lip would work smoothly. The actual details had not yet all been arranged, but the broad principles of the scheme had been satisfactory worked out, and agreed upon. As soon as every detail had been settled, committees appointed by Farmers Unions, A. and P. Associations and kindred bodies, would be set up in each of the seven districts into which the Dominion had been divided. These committees would consider disputes as to valuation, and such like. Should no agreement be reached by those committees the matter in dispute would be referred to a Board of Appeal sitting in Wellington, and consisting of three members appointed from each island. Delivery of wool would be made at the centre to which the individual usually sent his clip. There it would be valued probably by expert valuers representing the growers and the Government, and payment would be made immediately upon the completion of that operation. The farmer's responsibility ended when delivery had been made to the store.

Mr Ensor was of opinion lhal a great deal more wool would be scoured than had hitherto been the case owing to the facilities thus given to handling. Those that would be hit hardest, apart from (he producers, would be those buyers who were pledged to send wool on commission to the large English manufacturers. It would be a pity, he thought, if the business of these experts were dislocated to such an extent that, when normal conditions again returned, their services would not be available.

The Oxford County Council notifies that the Cooper's Creek water-race will he shut off for the annual race cleaning, from November 20 till December 2. To-morrow will be observed as "Fag Day," and the Lady Liverpool Fund requests everyone to contribute a packet of cigarettes, to be sent to the boys at the front. The Telegraph Department advises that all Canterbury rivers are clear, with the exception of the Opihi, which is dirty.