THE GRADING OF WHEAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19803, 19 May 1934, Page 8

THE GRADING OF WHEAT.

In view of the large consequences that may follow any drastic or revolutionary changes in the basis of the buying and selling of wheat, all interested in one of the vital industries of New Zealand ought to move with the utmost caution. Addressing, a large gathering of representatives of rural interests, a member of the Wheat Purchase Board, said, in Christchurch, on Thursday; “This is a subject on which I speak with very considerable difficulty, because our information is not complete. The bushel is taken to-day more as an indication of the yield of flour to the miller than anything else. Weight is only one of the standards on which wheat is judged. It must also be free from weed, seed, and from parched and shrivelled grain, and it must not be wet. There is more wheat being rejected to-day because it is out of condition than for any other reason. If this wheat were dry, much of it would come up to the bushel weight.” Considerable difference of opinion exists on the soundness of the existing standard and no less an authority than Mr Mulholland has confessed that he is not entirely satisfied with the present grading of wheat: “I am not,” said Mr Mulholland. “I would like to see an attempt to unravel what is at present a bit of a mystery. It is very difficult to say where it might be imposed.” It is pointed out that the Wheat Purchase Board deals with the surplus wheat grown in New Zealand, and if it bought the wheat underweight, the Board would not be able to export it, since wheat so graded would have to be sold as fowl wheat at a loss. The question of grading is of the highest importance, but only by an impassioned and broadvisioned examination of the whole question will an equitable and workable solution be evolved.