WHEAT GROWING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 1, 26 September 1918, Page 8

WHEAT GROWING

JOUTHERN FARMERS , ' ATTITUDE. J .By Telegraph—Press .Association. , : V Christohurcli, September. 25. i. At '.i meeting of the executive of the forth'■• Canterbury branch'elf the FarmMrs' Union it was resolved: —"That ibis,,executive 'heartily endorses the fetter'.forwarded by the South Cacterjiirv;,Farmers' Union Executive to the \linister of Agriculture on-the wheat juestion as. .correctly expressing the wsitibn from the growers' point of Mew;, and, further, we would emphajise the necessity of the Government looiing to an early final decision upon foe different points submitted." : [The 'letter'.referred to stated that lue effect-will be given to the Minis'er's express opinion . that farmers should have protection from outside ■ompetrtion, and went on as Ifollo'ws :— ;ii reply to the Minister's suggestion, 'arrnerß; owing to the disheartening exlerience, cannot undertake to offer Proposals for dealing with the failure if the crops, and they recommend that ihe.AVheat Controller .and Director of Sericulture be appointed to make injuiries and report, tho farmers giving tilling assistance..' '"It-is hoped that a Straight-out "offer will be made for next ind-following'years' crops. The figures it' the' Government Statistician (August Abstract) show that last year's wheat vas less than'half a million bushels hort of the year's requirements, .so tree millions and a' half of the recent. Uigtrajian purchase will go to meet he shortage of next crop." The leter emphasised thai; this should not be jsed to fis the price of locally-grown rheat. If it was, the promise of a ree market would be impossible oif ealisation. The farmers were of opinpn that the Government should take .ver wheat urjder .the scheme which 'orked eo well last; year. ~ The letter Iso. stated that the position is acute hrough the continued' depletion of raking farmers and farm labourers, espite assuranoes to the contrary, and be replacement of labour was essential preservation of the industry.]