THE MARKETING OF WHEAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 7

THE MARKETING OF WHEAT

To tile Editor of " The Tlmaru Herald " Sir.—ln the Press and on the farm, the Wheat Marketing Board is being subjected to adverse criticism in regard to both its constitution and its administration. Although not a wheat grower, I have some knowledge of the different ties of wheat growers and the Wheat Board, and in common fairness the growers should have some regard for the difficulties the Board are faced with. Wheat growers must know that the price of wheat is being maintained above -world parity, and if even then they cannot be paid a remunerative price, and I do not claim that they are, world conditions must be blamed and not the Board, which in my view are doing all that is possible in the interests of grower and consumer alike. It is difficult to imagine in what manner the constitution of the Wheat Board could be improved, the personnel being four sellers’ representatives, four buyers’ representatives, and an impartial and disinterested chairman. The gravamen of complaint is the price paid to growers, but growers, must realise the tenderness there exists in dealing with the staple food product and especially when such a comparatively small portion of the Dominion in engaged in the industry. There is no more popular “catch cry” than "abolish the sliding scale” in non-wheat growing areas, and it speaks volumes fcr the integrity of our Parliamentary Members that, foreseeing the unfortunate position this country would be in if wheat growing were relinquished, or even drastically curtailed, that they have not succumbed. The position, however, is a delicate one and it is quite evident the Wheat Board is fully seized of this fact, and it appears to me that the fair and tactful manner in which it is conducting its business is wholly responsible for the retention of the present protective duty.—l am, etc., OBSERVER. Timaru, November 16.