FARMERS OBJECT

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

FARMERS OBJECT

NO WOOL SALE IN FEBRUARY LATEST ROSTER NOT ACCEPTABLE The 1934-35,roster of sales arranged by the New Zealand Woolgrowers Association and the New ea “ d Woolbuyers’ Association, which provides for Timaru sales on December 17. 1934, and March 13, 1&35. was hotly criticised at yesterday’s meeting of the South Canterbury Executive of Farmers’ Union, it being the unanimous opinion that it was “J essential that Timaru should have an other sale—in February. “At last they have cut us down to two sales. It looks as though -they have done the trick this time, said tha president (Mr P. R. Talbot). Centralisation. Mr A. Ward said he had made inquiries concerning the roster, and had been given to understand that the position had not yet been definitely fixed. If South Canterbury did not watch out, however, serious difficulties would arise. If the proposals in the recently-published roster were final, Timaru would have one sale in December, but not another until three months later. The two suggested sales were at times when the least wool would be about. The December sale was too early, and the March fixture far too late. If the roster was adopted finally, It looked as though it was the start of a gradual move towards centralisation, with. Christchurch as thfc logical centre. Mr J. Trotter: Possibly Wellington. Mr Ward: Yes, and eventually have one centre for the whole of the Dominion. Mr J. Cleland said that at a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, it had been stated by a member of the Woolbrokers’ Association that • the roster had been definitely fixed and that there was no chance of it being altered. , , Mr H. L. Adam: Then we should enter an emphatic protest against this curtailment of our wool sales, as it is going to be a very serious thing for South ‘Canterbury. He explained that only really dry wool would be available for the first sale ;n December, and the March sale was far too late. After the first few sales were over In the Dominion a lot of buyers usually left the country and did not compete. Timaru would be one of the last sales of the season, and the effect could well be realised. If the Union entered a protest all firms and others interested were morally bound tc offer support, as all interests would be affected. He moved that provision be made to have three sales, including one during the first week in February. The motion was seconded by Mr J. Trotter.

Bevond Comprehension. The chairman: The February sale has been the best sale as a rule in South Canterbury, and why they should put it back to March is beyond comprehension. Mr W. H. Staniland said that the whole trouble was that in the representations between the brokers and the buyers, farming organisations were not consulted. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was agreed to submit it to the South Canterbury Stock Auctioneers and Woolbrokers’ Association. “If something is not done the wool will go to Christchurch,” remarked Mr L. V. Talbot.