COUNTRY’S PRODUCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 6

COUNTRY’S PRODUCE

THE CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY

HANDLING OF CARRIEDOVER WOOLS

■ CONTROL OF MEAT PRICES

A story of the proceedings at Friday’s conference of the Producers’ Committee and the Board of Agriculture has been supplied for publication. The report states that Sir Jarnos G. Wilson, president of the Board of Agriculture, who was in the chair, said that the general meeting had been called particularly to discuss the present position regarding 'wool, and in connection with that it w.i« necessary to give special consideration Io the large stocks of New Zealand wool now in the hands of the Imperial authorities. At a large meeting of producers held

last ye'ar Mr. W. D. Hunt, who was at

the time in England, was nominated, to act as a special New Zealand delegate On an advisory committee established in London for the purpose of inquiring fully into and acting with the Imperial authorities in dealing with the ..question , of the handlirwa of wool bought by the Imperial Government. Mr. Hunt, having now returned to New Zealand, was pre--eent at the meeting and gave a valuable • and exhaustive statement dealing with the whole situation not only as it existed when he left England, but as it is at the present day. This statement included full details of stocks not Only of New Zealand and Australian, but also of South African and South American wool known to be in hand at the present time. Australian Schema. Interesting particulars were given as to the proposals of the British-Austra-lian Realisation Association, which has been formed for the purpose of handling end controlling the sale of the large stock of Australian wool carried over b’y the Imperial authorities, and in thia Mr. Hunt was able to give the meeting information regarding discussions he had had with members of the British-Austra-lian Association. It was realised that attempting to unload these accumulated stocks of wool in any quantity, and at whatever price would be obtainable, would have a disastrous effect upon current market values, and this effect would not only be injurious to growers, but 'would not be likely in the long run to be of any benefit to consumers. It was obvious that the large carried-over stocks had to be firmly held by some organisation, either the British Government Department,, or some other stable and solid body, which would handle the business with full regard to the interests of the wool growers. A lengthy discussion took place, during which it was pointed out from Press statements, and also from private information, that it was obvious that a strong movement for Government economy in administration was in progress in England, and that there was a grave risk that the Ministry of Munitions, which has handled the wool business for the Imperial Government, might . be closed down, and further that pressure of public opinion might bring about the risk oL attempts being made to realise the accumulated stocks at a sacrifice. The question of whether it would be possible to utilise the British-Australian Wool Realisation Association for the purposes of New Zealand carried-over wools in the event of the Imperial authorities finding it necessary to make a change in the control’of its wool stocks was very fully discussed. After a very full discussion of the whole situation ;from every point of view, during which the question of the handling of the car-ried-over stocks received special attention, the meeting decided to wait upon the Prime Minister. This was accordingly done, and the situation generally was fully discussed, the Prime Minister promising to cable tho Imperial authorities in London with a view to' obtaining ■the necessary information. “No Need to Sacrifice Their Wools.” As a result of the discussion on the .market conditions generally, the meeting passed a resolution in the following terms: — ‘ ' That by reason of the fact that arrangements are pending which, if brought to fruition, will ensure that the market will not be demoralised by the sudden realisation of surplus stocks, and result in current clips obtaining first consideration, this conference of the Board of Agriculture and the Producers' Committee is of opinion that as soon as these arrangements are completed, and their effect generally understood, the result will be a feeling of confidence, that does not now exist, being restored in the wool industry. This conference thinks, therefore, that there is no need for vendors to sacrifice their wools. As, however, fairly satisfactory prices are forthcoming for the finer qualities, it would appear that growers of these qualities have nothing to gain by , withholding them from the market. Meat and Dairy Interests.

In addition to the discussion on wool, the general position of the meat-export trade was dealt with, and a discussion took place upon the terms of a proposed shipping contract and bill of lading for purposes of the meat-export trade, , after Government control of refrigerated shipping space ceases. In this connection the great advantage of co-operation between the meat and dairy interests was stressed, and steps were taken with a view of endeavouring to bring about arrangements under which representatives of the producers’ committee and the New Zealand Dairy Association would come together to discuss a joint line of action in regard to these matters. A resolution was also passed requesting the New Zealand Government to communicate with the Imperial authorities upon the. question of the existing control of -prices of imported meat in Great Britain, and to express the opinion of the meeting that, failing a removal of all control, the maximum prices now existing for lamb and light wether mutton be adjusted so as to place New Zealand meat in a more equitable position as regards selling values when compared with home-grown meat.