WORLD WHEAT PLANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 7

WORLD WHEAT PLANS

PENDING CONFERENCE GREAT BRITAIN NAMED AS UMPIRE OF QUOTAS A SYSTEM OF “SANCTIONS" [By Telegraph—Pre*. Association—Copyright] Received Jan. 3, 9.50 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 3. It is understood that preliminary efforts to explore international wheat questions before t/.e London meeting have precipitated the problem of making effective any scheme for regulating the present chaotic marketing conditions. The Australian Associated Press learns that, whereas the British Empire and American producing countries, as probably having the most at stake, have tentatively discussed among themselves an interesting plan to achieve the desired result, it is not considered likely that either Australia or the United States will take the initiative in pressing for its adoption, principally because of a fear that it would immediately arouse the suspicion of other producers. It is learnt that the London meeting will decide whether a regular wheat conference should be held only if it is believed that a plan for quota marketing can genuinely be implemented. According to reports here the United States has been asked to support a proposal under which the United Kingdom would be made the umpire, or guarantor, of a quota system, and that, in order to make the umpire's decisions enforceable, the chief importing countries of Europe would undertake not to accept wheat unless it is officially certified as part of the exporters’ quota as fixed by the conference. The essential feature of the scheme, therefore, is a system of “sanctions” against violators of the so-called wheat treaty.