SALE OF SEEDY WOOL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 99, 19 January 1918, Page 10

SALE OF SEEDY WOOL

THE AGREEMENT WITH THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE OF FARMERS (B.v Telegraph—Special CorrcsDondent.l Wanganui, January 18. Several, matters of importance to farmers were discussed at a confcrence of farmers at Wanganui, onu of the main subjects being seedy, wool. Sir James Wilson said that when negotiations were on for the sale of wool the seedy wool was not specifically discussed, and there was nothing about it i'n the schedule published by the Department. It was an omission 011 the part of those who conducted thu negotiations. Sir Jamefc AVilson quoted figures relating to a clip from the Upper JRaugitikei distinct, showing evidence of enormousx difference. Lambs were valued at 4d. originally, revalued at 6£d., and this season at l-l|d. Bellies were upheld at the revaluation, and this season sold at 9d. Sir James Wilson went on to say that only a carbonising plant would get over the difficulty. England had bought the wiiole of the wool, but if they could not deal with it they should send it to America, where no doubt there were necessary plants, or to Japan. Already several thousands of bales of New Zealand wool had been sent from England to America. Last year 3000 bales of seedy wool passed through Wellington. The speaker had asked Mr. Massey to get permission to export to Japan, but the latter had forgotten about the matter. He (Sir James Wilson) estimated that there would be 30,000 bales of biddybiddy wool this season. Eight lip to the head of the Bangitikei district the biddy-biddy ivas very bad, and the papa country was taking it. Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P.-, contended that a conference should be demanded before the next commandeering camo along. The Government had not carried. 0 out its bargain, and farmers should protest. No doubt a carbonising plant would be a good thing, but it would take so long to get to work that they would not get immediate baiefit. ?Mo doubt the seedy wool would increase in the future. He did not think the Government would agree to the free export of wool, but if a man was prepared to stand the loss he Should be allowed' to hold it. Sir James Wilson: America has taken several thousands of our bales now. Mr. Pearce replied that if tlie farmers were allowed to export it he was afraid it would be all "seedy wool" on the coast. Mr. Allan Robinson moved: "That in the opinion of this meeting the agreement between the Imperial Gov ernment and the wool growers of New Zealand that wool should? be sold at 55 per cent, on pre-war rates had not been adhered to, particularly as re-. gards seedy wool and crutchings, and that the Government should provide such redress as would meet the case." Mr. Robinson said it was a monstrous iniquity, after tlie agreement was made, to part with the wool iit a lower rate. He would almost say faimers were exploited., by the Government. How could they pay the increased taxation if they did not liave tlie revenue to deal with it? The motion was carried, and delegates were appointed to wait on the Prime Minister next Tuesday, when

the question of a carbonisiug plant will also be discussed. ■ Sir J'ames Wilson also brought up the question of the draft 011 wool. It was, ho said, costing New Zealand £SS,OOO a year, and was quite unreasonable at the present time. H was an old-established custom in London that should have, been done away with long ago. Mr. Massey had been unable to get the Home Government to abolish it, and tlie iS'ew vSouth AVales people had not had any success m that direction. It was a toll London took without doing anything for. ■ It was resolved: "That Hip Dominion executive should confer with the 'Associated Chambers of Commerce witb a view to having the draft on wool removed."