WELLINGTON’S WHEAT NEED

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1933, Page 7

WELLINGTON’S WHEAT NEED

GRAIN DEALER’S EXPLANATION

WHY NOT A POTATO POOL?

The statement of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, that there was no wheat shortage at Wellington immediately following the formation of the compulsory pool was challenged by a grain dealer on Saturday. He pointed out that the Wellington wheat importation figures announced by the- Minister were correct, but that Mr. Masters had failed to mention that the biggest portion was railed to Mana-, watu, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay. “Wellington was actually very short of wheat at the time the pool came into force,” said the dealer. “The Minister has stated that there was no shortage, but the fact that several hundred bags of wheat, actually sold to Wellington merchants, were awaiting shipment in Blenheim is sufficient to show there was a shortage. This wheat was purchased at a price which would net the farmer at least 4s Id per bushel, whereas under the pool he will receive a payment of only 3s 4d at once, and probably another twopence or threepence when the pool is wound up. The Government’s action has deprived the. Blenheim farmer with wheat ready for shipment of approximately sixpence per bushel at least. “As soon as Canterbury fowl wheat becomes available, Blenheim farmers will have to accept much lower prices. Ohly this week and next will the high price paid for first-of-seasoi) wheat be available, and the Government’s action therefore in withholding supplies, even temporarily,' has not been in the financial interests of the farmer.

“It wo.uld be interesting to-know why a few hundred wheat growers should be protected at the expense of the rest of the community when these wheat growers are not entirely dependent on wheat for their livelihood. Mr. Masters’ statement that if some sort of pool were not formed wheat growers would be faced with bankruptcy is hard to swallow, because dairy farmers and wool growers are in a far worse plight. If we are to have a wheat pool why not a dairy pool, a meat pool, a wool pool, and a potato pool, so that the local price can be artificially raised to cover losses on exports. '

No doubt the public would pay cheerfully enough, as they seem prepared to do in the case of their- bread.”

It was pointed out by the dealer that previously, when there had been no compulsory pool, that only 55 per cent, of the growers joined the pool voluntarily. That, he said, showed that the pool was not favoured by all growers. Many of the 55 per cent, were dissatisfied, and therefore it appeared as if the fear of the millers in having to meet keen competition from new competitors had prompted them to approach the Government for the present compulsory pool. Oats were at present being sold as low as Is 6d per bushel on trucks, yet the growers of these had no protection. According to the schedule of prices issued by the Wheat Board, wheat prices were to be the same as last year, which meant no reduction in the price of flour despite vastly increased crops of wheat.