FARMERS OPPOSE WHEAT BODY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17854, 24 May 1926, Page 3

FARMERS OPPOSE WHEAT BODY

GROWERS SHOULD FORM THEIR OWN ASSOCIATION. (Special to the “Star.”) OAMARU, May 22. The proposal from Canterbury to form a Grain Growers’ Association was opposed at a meeting yesterday of the North Otago branch of the Farmers’ Union. It was agreed to defer the matter until further information is obtained. The secretary- stated that he had received advice from the North Canterbury branch that a wheat conference would lie held in Christchurch on May--19 and had replied that, in view of a resolution passed in January favouring a free market for wheat with a sufficient. protective tariff on hour importations, the union could not be represented at the conference. Tfye chairman said members had probably seen what took place at the conference. Some time ago a proposal had been put forward to form a grain growers’ association as the growers probably wanted some body to oppose the millers’ organisation. In view of *he resolution passed in January, he did not think they could do anything. Mr Cameron: The resolution came from the wheat-growers, not the FarThc chairman said that, as a union they were not bound by the resolution, which, he thought, was a fair indication of the attitude of growers. Mr Ross said that, as they represented all farmers, he did not think they should take any part in the proposal to form a grain growers’ association. It would be far better to have one or ganisation and appoint committees to deal with the various phases of farming- If they took up the wheat question they- would probably drive the dairy farmers out of the union. He thought, thev should deal with the matter Very quietly.” Mr Ruddenkiau said that if the Can terburv people wanted a grain growers’ association they were quite Entitled to have one. He did not think dairy farmers had any right to interfere if the union discussed the wheat question anv more than the wheat growers would if dairying proposals were considered. Mr Meek said the union represented all classes of the farming community They took an interest in the Meat and Dairy- Control Boards, and, if the grain growers wanted to form an association, they’ should do all they could to assist the movement. That was what the union was for. Mr Ross was of the opinion that if the wheat growers wanted 1 6 form an association they should do so, but he did not think the Farmers’ Union should take the matter up. lie would like a conference arranged between members of the union and the grow Mr Cameron, thought it would be better to hold the matter over until full particulars of the Christchurch conference were available,

The chairman: As a result of the meeting in Christchurch, ’ we will probably have a request to do something. A member: T think we decided lon* ago to have nothing more to do with the wheat question.

The chairman said that when the question of a grain growers’ associa tion was being discussed previously they had before them a lengthy circular from Mr J. D. Hall, and, after a full discussion on the subject, they decided to have nothing to do with it.

Mr Cameron remarked that some growers in Canterbury sold their wheat at 7s a bushel, but when the bubble burst they could not get more than 6s Bd. Now they were kicking form an association so that they could get a higher price. The chairman: Unless there is some binding agreement, nothing can be done.