PRICE OF WHEAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23205, 19 May 1945, Page 4

PRICE OF WHEAT

Farmers Express Keen Disappointment Flat Price Of 7/1 Asked “That this executive expresses its keen dissatisfaction and disappointment at the .refusal of the Stabilisation Commission to meet our just and reasonable request for a fair price for our wheat.” This remit was passed at a meeting yesterday of the South Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. "A deputation from the United Wheatgrowers told the Stabilisation Commission on April 20 that if the Government wanted the wheat they would have to pay a flat price of 7/1 a bushel in order to interest the farmer who had been growing wheat.” stated a letter from the United Wheatgrowers. “The deputation was advised that the Government had decided to reduce the acreage required to obtain the 7/1 from 250,000 to 235,000 acres. This would mean an increase of id a bushel for each 5000 acres in e..cess of 200,000 acres which would be paid for at 6/6 a bushel. Important Questions “The important question of labour, fertiliser supplies, and spare machinery parts have been fully discussed and impressed on the Ministers responsible, and no doubt you will find it possible to interest your"neighbours in growing wheat, which is of so much importance to the Dominion and to the world at the present time,” stated the letter. “After the meeting with the Stabilisation Commission a meeting of the directors had been held,” continued the letter, “and it was revealed from the latest information that about 235,000 acres of wheat would be sown and they could rest assured that anything from 6/10 to 7/1 would be earned.” Tonnage Basis Suggested Mr L. V. Talbot said thatdn spite of the good case presented to the Stabilisation Commission, the deputation in Wellington had not succeeded in getting the Commission to accept a flat price of 7/1 a bushel. There had been a difference of opinion about the size of manure sacks, some agreeing that the larger sacks were an improvement. Relative to smaller sacks for wheat, some members thought that delivery would be made slower and cost generally were increased. Mr W. J. Fletcher said that wheat hauled from the paddock to the mill should be charged for on a tonnage basis. It was time the Government was told that unless the growing of wheat was made attractive farmers would not grow it. said Mr R. A. Bruce. A big price had been paid for the Canadian wheat which had been landed in New Zealand, and the Government should increase the present uneconomic price to home growers. Mr Talbot was thanked for his report. Bread Rationing Statment Should Be Made (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 18. Considering that it was cutside its scope, and that the motive might be misinterpreted, the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand, at its meeting in Wellington to-day rejected a motion, “Expressing concern at the apparent shortage of wheat in New Zealand, and requesting some information as to whether more can be imported, or whether other means must be found to overcome the shortage.” Mr S. Cory Wright (Wellington) said he understood that the shortage on the basis of the unlimited bread ration represented many shiploads which would have to come from Canada if this

country were to bring in supplies. “I suggest that the time has come when some information should be made public in order to convince the people whether bread rationing is necessary or whether we can get ships to import our deficiency, or whether the Royal Society must discover some substitute.” said Mr Cory Wright.