STATE OF OAT MARKET.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 April 1919, Page 6

STATE OF OAT MARKET.

COMPLAINT OF “BEARING.’'

DUNEDIN, March 31.

The chairman of the local Woolbrokers’ Association, with which the grainbrokers aer connected, has sent the following letter to the Minister for Agriculture:

“In the interests of our numerous gr.ain-gro™v.ng client's In Olagp, we deem it desirable to bring to your notice the anomaly that has arisen between wheat-growers, who are principally confined to Canterbury, and the oats growers, who are largely in the Southern provinces, The Government has purchased wheat at 6/6 per bushel thereby securing a payable return to growers, more So than was originally estimated as the yields are better than was anticipated. Wltli oatA 'however, American methods of “bearing ’ the market by Auckland merchants is go- , ing to have the result that growers t may eventually have to sell below production cost unless the market can he protected by securing cheap freight to England or other outlets, enabling these methods to be successfully combated. We understand cablegrams have sent to the High i Commissioner in London regarding 1 the oat market there, and he has replied that he is communicating with you. We should feel obliged if you 1 could look into the position fully and, as the space in Home-going steamer® is in the hands of the Imperial authorities, endeavour to arrange an whatever can be spared during the next two or throe months, cither as . broken stowage or straight-out cargo at a considerable reduction ,on the present impossible rates. “If, through tho operations of the market manipulations, the values are kept below a fair payable level for the oat growers, the discrepancy between the product -s of wheat and uncontrol' ' ; h ’• <•' ~

the result with almost certainly be a serious reduction in the areas of oats for next season.”