INCREASED PRICE FOR WHEAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23282, 18 August 1945, Page 4

INCREASED PRICE FOR WHEAT

Sought By Farmers To Cover Costs

Reduced Acreage Is Alternative

The Minister of Industries and Commerce and of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) is going to hear from the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union. The subject of the executive's representations will once again be the price of wheat and, judging by the tenor of the discussion at the meeting of the executive yesterday, there will be a big reduction in acreage next year if an increase in the price is not forthcoming. "Since April 1 this year, farm workers’ wages have been increased by practically 30 per cent,” stated a remit from the Fairlie branch, introduced by Mr A. J. Agnew. "This has made a substantial increase in the cost of growing wheat. We request that the attention of the Government be drawn to this fact. Farmers are only demanding justice by asking that a corresponding increase be granted in the price of wheat for the coming season.” A voice: The increase in wages affects all other produce, too. Mr Agnew: The increase has even been passed on to the cost of farm implements. “Tire remit does not go far enough,” said Mr L. V. Talbot. "Because of the adverse climatic conditions, we consider that a sufficient acreage of wheat next season will not be sown unless a substantial over-all increase in the

price of wheat is given. Unless the Government is prepared to meet the farmers in some way, wheat will not be sown. One cannot understand why our requests have been turned down so often before.”

Mr Arthur Ward: During the last war farmers received almost 7/- a bushel for their wheat. The price of a three-furrow plough was then £2O and a reaper and binder cost £43. No Compromise ”1 am dissatisfied with the continued Government announcements that the Wheat Committee has agreed to a smaller increment than that sought by the farmers,” declared Mr James Barclay. “If we are going to achieve anything in future we must adopt an attitude of ‘no compromise.’ ” Mr R. E. Mcllwrick: There is a rumour that the Government is paying- 14/10 a bushel for imported wheat, and this is causing grave concern. We should demand to know what price is being paid. “What will happen if our applications for an Increase receive the usual reply from the Government?” asked Mr Barclay. “For several years we have been getting the same answers and the acreage of wheat has been dropping. Now that the war is over the Government may not be able to obtain supplies of wheat from overseas. For years now farmers around this table have been saying that wheat will not pay, but they have continued to grow it. . .” The president (Mr J. Dempsey): Much depends on your farming methods.

Mr Barclay: And much depends on the class of land.

“It seems to me that all talk and no action is just a waste of valuable time,” said Mr A. C. Shaw. “If we have nothing definite in mind we would be more profitably employed at home with the sheep or on the tractor.” “We have been asking for increases for the last 30 years,” said Mr Ward. “And getting them,” commented the secretary (Mr A. B. Struthers). “There is no good in compromising in prices with the Government,” said Mr A. V. Pavey. “If the Government says ‘no’ the farmers should say ‘no.’ Our present attitude of meekly accepting the next best thing is entirely wrong.” Delegates “Shot” Mr Mcllwrick: We appreciate the work of our delegates but, when we say that we will continue to grow wheat no matter what the Government's decision on the price may be, we are shooting our delegates in the back before they leave this room. Mr Barclay: I have nothing but admiration for the work of the delegates. My idea is to give them greatersupport. “We have presented figures supporting what we considered was irrefutable evidence justifying an increased price,” said Mr A. J. Davey, who has been one of the delegates in the past. "We have had no idea of what price the Government would offer us, much less an opportunity to accept or decline. The reply comes from the individual wheatgrower in the acreage he sows for the next season, and I think he has made his answer plain in the reduced yields. Delegates have never agreed with the price offered by the Government; it is weeks later before we hear of it.”

Mr Pavey: It is about time that publicity was given that. Mr Talbot: When the war was on farmers responded to the nation’s call for more wheat. Now that the walls over it may be different. Members agreed to send a copy of the approved Fairlie remit direct to Mr Sullivan and to other executives of the Farmers’ Union and to United Wheatgrowers, soliciting their support. Accompanying the remit to the Minister will be a further one from the meeting, as suggested by Mr Talbot in his opening remarks, “that, because of the adverse climatic conditions, it is considered that a sufficient acreage of wheat will not be sown next season unless a substantial over-all increase in the price is made by the Government."