MILLERS CONFER IN PRIVATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 8

MILLERS CONFER IN PRIVATE.

PRESS EXCLUDED FROM WHEAT DISCUSSION. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION. Bv an almost unanimous vote the newspaper representatives were excluded from the conference of millers held in Christchurch this morning to consider the effect on the industry of the decision of the Government in regard to wheat and flour. There was a large attendance, including most of the millers from the North Island, as well as those in the South Island. Mr F. R- Corson, chairman of directors of Distributors, Limited, vho has taken a leading part in the negotiations with the Government on the wheat question, was voted to the chair.

In opening the meeting Mr Corson drew attention to the presence of newspaper representatives. He stated that be had been approached the other day and asked if the meeting would be open to the Press, and he had expressed his own opinion that it should be. “ There has been so much published on the wheat question from the other side,” said Mr Corson, '' thrt I think the millers’ side should be given equal publicity. However, it remains for the meeting to say whether the Press representatives are to remain or not.” Mr R. K. Ireland (Oamaru) moved that the meeting be not open to the Press, but that a report be given later. “ This is a case where we want a discussion in our own interests,” said Mr Ireland. He added that he was feel ing rather sore because, in endeavouring to give information to the public he wrote to one of the Christchurch morning newspapers three issues ago and his letter had not yet appeared, although ethers written since had been published. He did not think that was playing the game. A voice: ]t’s hitting below the belt. The motion was seconded by Mr J. C. Young (Palmerston North), who also complained of the non-publication of letters setting out the millers’ side of the question. Mr R. Gardiner (Cust) said that they did not wish to complain of all th» newspapers. The “Lyttelton Times” had adopted a very fair and a very reasonable attitude.

Mr Ireland said he wished to make it clear that he was referring to on: Christchurch paper only. Mr R. Milligan (Oamaru) said that the paper referred to had been encouraging wheat-growing in the Do minion, although its methods were at variance with the millers’ ideas. The motion was carried with only one dissentient voice, and the Press representatives then retired.