STATE WHEAT CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1925, Page 4

STATE WHEAT CONTROL

WELLINGTON. Dee. 7. I The .Minister of Agriculture l. May made the following uminimemeiil : “In .May last, the Government gave consideration to an agreement between the millers and growers, by which il was arranged that, if prolerled against Duel tint ion in out side markels. (he millers would linderiake lo pay for wheal grown in the Dominion during 1920-2(i, tit the prices of (is od. (Is 7d and (is 9d per bushel, 1.0. h. (sacks extra), for Tuscan Hunters, and Velvet wheat, respectively. The Government agreed to this proposal, on the niideri aking that approximately sufficient wheal for -local requirements would he grown in the Dominion. There is every reason for believing l.hat lie* growers would have prod need Iho necessary supply, hut. adverse weather conditions

tli roughuu! the winter ami spring have prevented the sawing of large areas, and it is now inevitable that large quantities of wheal must he imported in |92d. A meeting of millers. growers. poiiUrvinenl and tnerch.ints lasi week resolved to ask the Government to lake control of the market, by purchasing and re-selling both local and imported wheat, and this request lias now been tonsidered

bv Cabinet. After careful consideration, the Government has agreed io this proposal, and regulations to give effect thereto will shortly he gazetted. The control along the lines decided upon will not involve any increase in the prices of flour and bread, and will allow of a reduction in the prices of bran and pollard of £1 per ton. Fluctuations in prices will he eliminated and growers will he assured of the prices agreed upon. These prices, it may ho added, are at the present time below the importing parity. The milling industry will he enabled to carry on throughout the year, with

resultant advantages in [the matter of supplies of bran and pollard. The arrangement, too. will eliminate to a large extent, any unnecessary transference of supplies from south to north at a time when local production is materially short of our linlional needs and poultry wheat will he made available in both North and South Islands i at the lowest possible rates. The pro-, j posal. therefore, has substantial ad- I vantages, and is more particularly desirable during a period of world I scarcity and speculation. |