THE WHEAT QUESTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16229, 27 March 1917, Page 7

THE WHEAT QUESTION

minister for. agriculture at TIMABTJ. SATURDAY'S MEETING. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald; interviewed by o, "Herald" represents-; tive last evening, gave an account of Itho' meeting held in Timaru on Saturday. Delegates from the different branches of the Farmers' Union in; South Canterbury were present, and Mr John Talbot was in the chair. The Minister outlined 'the position from the Government's point of view, and explained that the wheat growing question had been under discussion since September 14th, when he called a meeting of representative farmers of the Dominion in Christchurch. At that meeting several resolutions were passed. One important poirfc was that it was desirable for the Government to fix n maximum price for wheat for the period, of the war and for the season after. This was agreed to, and 'the price was at 5s Sd f.o.b. for February, March and April, 5s Sid for May, 5s fid for June, _ss 9.V for August, and for the following months up to February 1918, 5s KM. The Minister said that as far as he could judge at present, the matter was going on very satisfactorily. The only subject of anxiety was tho probable shortage of wheat to carry on into 1918. The question of fixing 191718 prices was discussed and an agreement was come to some time in January, and the Government, after giving the matter consideration, decided to offer for the 1917-18 crop, if the Dominion average was 25 bushels per acre, 5s lOd per bushel. If the crop was Gver 25 bushels and a heavy one, the price would be 5s sd. Even "in the last fcwo months conditons had somewhat changed, and some of the farmers approved of the one price for the season, and after discussing the question again with members of the Government it had been decided to make a straight out offer for the 1917-18 crop oir 5s lOd per bushel. The Government would guarantee that price, or they would ii ? over the whole of the wheals at that price from the farmers. The Minister submitted these pro-" posals to the delegates in Timaru The delegates were of opinion that the price was not too high, but notwithstanding that the price was not attractive they were prepared to do their best to put in ns much, wheat as they could with the labour available. The great difficulty, therefore, was the securing of farm labour.

The Minister pointed out that the Efficiency Board and the Subsidiary . Boards in the different districts were pqw working on the question of organising la_bour_ of all classes, and especially going into the question of farm labour. It was hoped that after organisation there would he sufficient la'oour available to put in the crops, and other arrangements would be made for harvesting. In the meantime Mr Mac Donald urged fanners whose men were called up in the ballot to lodge appeals so that they could explain the position to the Military Service Board. The Minister felt confident that where they could show it was essential that certain men's services should be retained for wheat growing purposes their appeals would receive consideration; provided the men who were appealed for remained in their present occupations. 7t was pointed out that at least one loading man should be retained on every farm. He informed the delegates that- the Government recognised the i difficulties and were sympathetic. Ho was confident that there would be sufficient labour for putting in this season's crop. He was pleased to have received an assurance from the meeting that tlie farmers of South Canterbury would use their utmost endeavours to" grow ali the wheat that they possibly could He wished to say that when ail appeal was made it did not mean total exemption for a man if granted.

The Minister added that he had addressed a large meeting of Oamani farmers yestv-'day. Questions were asked relative to wheat growing, military training, farm labour, and various other matters. He had replied to these and had had a very satisfactory meeting, the farmers appearing to bs very enthusiastic. Given fair climatic conditions and the necessary labour he felt confident that both Oamaru and Timaru would make a strong endeavour to crow as much wheat as nossible. The Minister will leave Timaru today for Christchuroh to meet the. North Canterbury delegates. He will address a meeting of farmers on Wednesday. He will meet delegates of the Farmers' "Union at Ashburton. and will proceed to Methven to attend the agricultural show, where he will address a meeting of farmers. He will leave for Gore on Friday, Invercarsrill on Saturday, P.ahlutha and Milton on Monday, returning to Wellington on Tuesday.