WHEAT SUPPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1933, Page 2

WHEAT SUPPLY

GRAIN DEALER REPLIES TO MINISTER.

WELLINGTON, January 15. The statement of the Minister for Industries and Commerce, the Hon R. Masters, that there was no wheat shortage in ■ Wellington immediately following the formation of the compulsory pool, was challenged by a Wellington grain dealer. He pointed out that the Wellington wheat importation figures anounced by the Minister were quite correct ; hut that Mr Masters had failed to mention that the biggest portion was railed to Manawatu, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay. “Wellington was actually very short of wheat at the time when the pool came into force,” said this dealer. “The Minister has stated that there was no shortage; but the fact that several hundred bags of wheat actually sold to Wellington merchants were awaiting shipment in Blenheim is sufficient to show that there was a shortage. This wheat was purchased at a price which would net the farmer at least 4s -Id a bushel, whereas under the pool he will receive a payment of only 3s 4d at once, and probably another 2d or 3d when the pool is wound up.

“The Government’s action has deprived the Blenheim farmer with wheat ready for shipment of approximately 6d a bushel at least.

CANTERBURY FOWL WHEAT. “As soon as Canterbury fowl wheat becomes available, the Blenheim farmers will have to accept much lower prices. Only this week and next will the high price paid for the first of season wheat- be available, and the Government’s action therefore in withholding supplies even temporarily has not been in the financial interests of the farmer. It would be interesting to know wily a few hundred wheat growers should be protected at the expense of the rest of the community, when these wheat growers are not entirely dependent on wheat for their livelihood.

-“Mr Masters’ statement that if some sort of pool were not formed wheat-growers would be faced with bankruptcy is lull’d to swallow, because dairy farpiers and wool) growers would be in a far worse plight. If we afe» to have a. wheat pool, why not a dairy, pool, a meat pool, a wool pool, and a potato pool, so that the local price can be artificially raised to cover the loss on exports? No doubt the public would pay cheerfully enough, as they seem prepared to. do in the case of their bread.”

THE COMPULSORY POOL. It was pointed out by the dealer that previously, when there had been no compulsory pool, only 55 per cent of growers joined the pool voluntarily. That, he said, showed that the pool was not favoured by all growers. Many of the 55 per cent were dissatisfied, and therefore it appeared as if a fear of the millers in having to meet keen competition from new competitors had prompted them to approach the Government for the present compulsory pool. Oats were a-t present being sold as low' as Is 6d a bushel,' on trucks, yet the grower of these had no protection.

According to the schedule of prices issued by the AVheat Board, wheat prices were to bo the same as last year, which meant no reduction in the price of flour, despite the vastly increased crops of wheat