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H.—3Bb

Hon. Mr. MacDonald : Nothing of the kind. Mr. D. Jones : That statement can be borne out. The Government figures do not get over the inequalities, and every man who has supported the motion has admitted that. While we want to meet the Imperial Government, we do not want to do anything that is unfair to some of the woolgrowers in this country. Mr. Massey promised before he went Home that nothing would be done with our wool, and some wool-growers acted on that assumption. If we do not fix the, percentage basis on the figures we sent forward, I think very strongly indeed that wo ought to agree to the amendment as the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty ; and if the Government decline to accept that as the basis, then let the responsibility rest upon them. Mr. Booth :I do not think we realize that we are at war with Germany. We all know perfectly well how it is going to end, but we do not know when it is going to end. 1 think it would be a good thing if the amendment were withdrawn and the resolution wore carried unanimously ; and let it go forth to the world what we have done, and I am certain the world would say that we have done the fit and proper thing. Mr. Tripp : I do not think there is anything to growl about in accepting the Imperial Government's offer. I think it is a very fair offer that the Government has made. I think, when accepting it, it should be intimated through the Press that the buyers are losing 2d. per pound on the present price in England. Mr. Kinross White : J. have every confidence in the figures as set out, and I hope the conference will adopt them. Mr. Ewen A. Campbell : Are bellies and crutchings included in these prices ? Hon. Mr. MacDonald : The cable message says " the whole of the New Zealand wool-clip " ; and there is only one differentiation which has been made up to the present time, and that is that freezing companies and dealers in slipe wools desire that, these wools should go Home to be valued there, but they will be valued on the same basis. The Imperial Government offer 55 per cent, increase on every grade of wool, which includes bellies, pieces, locks, and everything else. Mr. John Clark : I think the offer we have got is a remarkably good one. I come from a district that has got probably as much rough wool as any in New Zealand. I myself have a large quantity of this rough wool. I think the prices are remarkable, and I. think that the man who wants more wants what is unreasonable. If anybody had said three years ago that we would get these prices we would have laughed at him. Hon. Mr. MacDonald : I have here a draft resolution setting forth our formal acceptance of the offer. [Resolution read.] Mr. Ensor : Will you attach this schedule to the resolution ? Hon. Mr. MacDonald : Yes ; I am agreeable. A Delegate : What are the ports referred to ? Hon. Mr. MacDonald : I have stated that it is not my intention to interfere with any of the channels previously in existence ; whatever may have been the previous destination will be accepted as the place of delivery in the future. A Delegate : Is this offer for all grades of wool, from locks upwards ? Hon. Mr. MacDonald : It takes in tho whole clip. Mr. Talbot : The 1913-14 value for fleece wool is from 1.5 per cent, to 20 per cent, below to-day's value. Mr. Acland : I have here some figures regarding a great many North Island clips, showing that the 45 per cent, offer is 23 per cent, below last year's prices. If the figures are correct —1 know nothing about them —they have been put into my hands- the 55 per cent, offer is about 13 per cent, below last year's prices. Mr. Kelly : Those figures are not correct. Mr. Acland : Considering all things, the high prices and other circumstances, you cannot compare the prices of last year with those of to-day. There is a vessel in the Wellington roadstead now, and wool is being placed on board Hon. Mr. MacDonald : Yes, under conditions. Mr. Acland : If this conference decides to sell the wool to the Imperial Government all the wool going on board now becomes the property of the New Zealand Government —under what terms ? Shall we be paid for that wool ? Hon. Mr. MacDonald : We will pay up to a reasonable amount for all grades. Mr. Kinross-White: I move the following motion: That this conference has pleasure in accepting the Imperial authorities' offer of 55 per cent, in excess of the 1913-14 valuation, it being based on the Government value submitted to the conference as for January, 1914, which is admitted to be about 2d. per pound below present-day values. All other tonus as suggested by the New Zealand Government are accepted. Mr. Campbell's amendment withdrawn. Mr. Canning : I was not at the last conference, and 1 came here to-day to support the amendment moved by Mr. Campbell, but since hearing the various arguments I think it would be a graceful act to carry Mr. Kinross-White's motion absolutely unanimously. Mr. Kinross-White's motion agreed to, as follows : " That this conference has pleasure in accepting the Imperial Government's offer of 55 per cent, in excess of the 1913-14 valuation, it being based on the Government value submitted to the conference as for January, 1914, which is admitted to be considerably less than present-day values. All other terms as suggested by the New Zealand Government are accepted." Hon. Mr. MacDonald : Do you wish to set up any Appeal Board in connection with values ? A Delegate : Will you accept the following values of wool as in January, 1914, as correct: Superior merino combings, 12d. to 14}d. ; medium to good merino, 9fd. to ll}d. ; inferior merino, B}d. to 9}d. ; superior half-bred, 12d. to 14d. ; medium to good half-bred, 9fd. to 12d. ; inferior half-