WOOL-GROWERS' GRIEVANCES

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1918, Page 5

WOOL-GROWERS' GRIEVANCES

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation of farmers waited upon the Prime Minister, to state their grievances regarding the price being made for inferior wools. Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P., said that wfi'eri the conference was held at which arrangements were made for commandeering New Zealand wool, a condition of purchase was that growers should get 55 per cent, on pre-war prices. As the scheme was working out, it was not quite satisfactory to farmers. They were satisfied with prices they were getting for fleece wool, but not with the prices paid them for crutchings, pieces and seedy wools, for which they were certainly not being paid 55 per cent, more than pre-war rates. At the conference of farmers of which the deputation was the outcome, the suggestion was made that they should be allowed to sefid any seedy wool to be sold at their own risk in any country where they could find a market. He did not think any member of tlie deputation favored that proposal. Another suggestion was that any farmer who thought tlie valuation of his wool very low should be allowed to hold the wool for free market at the end of the war. A further suggestion was that farmers should themselves put irp- a Cardonisiilg plant, to cost about £20,000, and that the Government should assist. Mr. W. S. Bennett, chairman of the Woolbrokers' Association, said the chief valuer stated at Napier that in no instance had the valuer been instructed to take into consideration the cost of cleaning wool. The buyers' practice was to make a deduction only on account of the amount of seed in the wool, and the actual deterioration of the wool consequent upon the presence of seed. The valuer contended that the values being paid wei'e equivalent to 55 per cent, more than pre-war prices for all kinds of wool. Mr. Massoy said members of the deputation should get rid of any impression they might have that the Government wished to get the better of the producer in any way. In this he could speak f6r the Imperial as well as the New Zealand Government, because he had bean in England, and was a party to tho negotiations when the bargain was mitde. He was of opinion that tho bargain had Worked very well. It had been pointed oftt that the only deduction made in the value of seedy wool was on account of the deterioration that actually took place because of the presence of seed, and he hoped as a result of tlie deputation no more would be heard of the grievance. Another grievance raised lately was in regard to the draft on wool. He did not believe the deduction a fair one, but it had existed for the last half century, mid nwtifrally when the Imperial Government made arrangements for the purchase of wool, purchases were made upon .the existing trade customs-. He thought the custom ought to- be removed, but thought it .waq unfair that farmers should try to get rid of it by bringing pressure on the Government now. He would have no" objection personally to farmers being allowed to hold seedy wools, but it would have to be understood no export of wool could be allowed. 11c promised to consider the suggestion that the Government should assist in the erection of works for cleaning wool. There wore plants in existence for the extraction of seed from wool by mechanical means. The charge made was fourpence per 11) of clean wool. The Government had quantities of wool treated at these works, and it would be open to farmers to have their wool cleaned before offering it for valuation.