CANTERBURY FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2781, 27 May 1916, Page 10

CANTERBURY FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

YOSITION OP THE WHEAT-GROWER.

.By Telegraph—Press Association,- [ > Christcrhurch, May 26. r- lAt the -Canterbury Provincial- Conferonce of the. Farmers* Union to-day Mr. -George .Sheat moved: "That this, branch i is of opinion that the Government, in U- i-Uie interests of the people of the DomihJ. ■ ion, should have placed a sufficient tariff r ; «ion the importation of wheat and flour > . during war time to ensure for,farmers a 'minimum price of ss. per bushel." Mr. ; • - Sheat quoted the figures of Mr. ; Atkinson, j; . ■•-of Springfield, for putting in,, taking out, > threshing, delivering, etc.,' a 50-acre padv- dock of wheat. The expenditure was J2277 p. ;;4s. Id. to grow 50 acres, of wheat, which I . went 29 bushels per acre. ' The best offer i?; ! : :he could get was 3s. lOd. per bushel, and ! the crop netted him J!277 185.4 d. He had 1 14s. 3d..for his total profits.'; The speaker "said wheat growers'-in- Canterburj' had .'•nbt had a square deal, and though : lie 'fHid not intend to criticise:the,- Govem.trient; iie I'elt he should point out the, ; I danger of New Zealand becoming a non- ■ ;.';;vwheat producing- country. He: contended rEhat the popular idea that farmers were 'or?ldaMiig- fortunes out of wheat was. en-, C . erroneous. Mr. Sheat's remit was ~ wrried. ; -