THRESHING MILLERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16323, 12 January 1921, Page 7

THRESHING MILLERS.

COAL SUPPLIES PROBLEM

HIGHER DISCOUNT FOR FARMERS. An extraordinary general meeting of the North Canterbury Threshing MillOwners’ Association was hold this morning. at the Farmers’ I’nion rooms, Mr G. Shean presiding over a fair attendance. Mi tSJieat said that the meeting had boon caned to discuss the position arising from tho coal supplies crisis. Some lime ago he had written to the Brimo Minister asking him to safeguard the food products of the country by arranging that the threshing mills should he given- sufficient coal to carry them through tho threshing season. The Prime Minister wrote, that the Biloela’s cargo or LOW) to 5000 tons would be allocated to the threshing mills. However, as a consequence of the shipping dispute the vessel with the coal on board was now tied to the wharf at Newcastle. The coal had been paid for, but was not available. The threshers had ecu red the support of the Farmers’ Union in asking the Prime Minister that the. Biloela’s coal should not bo deviated from tliyeshing uses. Mr Massey had replied that there was no intention to interfere with the Biloela’s coal, but it might bo necessary to allot 1500 tons of coal from the s.s. Perth, to be made good by an equivalent quantity from the Biloela on arrival at Lyitelon. Mr She at added that tho financial stringency had been accentuated by tho fact that coal put on board at Newcastle) must be paid for at the time. There would bo difficulty during tlio next few months in getting coal, and threshers would' have to take what they could get and bo thankful. The 1500 tons of the Perth’s coal had been fairly allocated hv the Coal Beard- This coal was inferior to that on the Biloela. Tho coal outlook was not ♦eassuring. Tho coal merchants had asked the as-

sociation’s executive to attend a, conference last- week to discuss the situ-

ation. 'The conference had discussed tho coal situation from every aspect. Tho coal merchants had been in the Habit of giving threshers up to nine months’ credit. Thar long credit must stop. The coal merchants did not doubt tho financial strength of the thresher particularly tho r ' old hands,” but prompt payments were necessary now that the coal had to bo paid for when put on board. Moreover, a number of young men had bought threshing plants, many being returned soldiers, who had put all their capital mto their purchases The coal merchant;-; wanted to know something about the financing of these younger men. It could not be expected that the old members of the association would guarantee! the younger men’s finances, seeing that these new men were their competitors. lie suggested that the Farmers’ Unions should guarantee.the threshers in their respective districts, or tlio employing farmers of tho districts might do so. The coal owners had agreed to give threshers thirty days' credit, with usual discount. That decision raised the whole question of discounts given to farmers by threshers, who, if *hey had to pay cash, must ask for prompt cash. At tho recent annual meeting a resolution was carried giving farmers 2£ per cent discount, but the executive now recommended that this should be increased to o per

Mr H. E. Pervman moved that the resolution giving farmers 2i cent discount he rescinded, and that 5 per cent should be granted. He said that the higher discount would be a wise step, as farmers usually had the money end would pay promptly to get the higher discount Mr J. Oliver seconded the motion. He said that when 5 per cent used to be allowed they raised their prices to cover it. Farmers were not attracted by the 2£- per cent, as six months’ credit was worth more to them. He thought that any increased prices of coal should be passed on to the farmMr F. Lilt said that before altering the discount rates, notice of motion shoud be given. He would oppose the motion. The old days of long credits had passed, not only in their business but in otherr. Mr Hayes, speaking from the chaffcutters’ viewpoint, said that he thought the prices charged were quite enough. The threshers could well afford to give the 5 per cent. If the farmers were pressed too much they would give up grain growing and get the high prices for butter-fat. Air Jones (Hororata) complained that some farmers took more than the agreed discount. For many years threshing had libt been a good paying proposition lo the mill-owners. Air Hayes: It has been recently. All* Jones added that if mill-owners were to work for tho labour and the farmers they must ask the Government to subsidise them. AVhen labour rates came back ail prices would eomo back. Tho motion witr, agreed to by a large majority, there being but two dissentients. Air Jones suggested that the coal merchants should be asked to give preference of coal supplies to members of the association. Air Shesit said he did not think the suggestion would work. It would be too much like putting a pistol to the heads of non-members. Tt was further agreed that the question of financing returned soldier threshing mill-owners should bo referred to the Farmers’ Union.