THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, 1901.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 138, 7 December 1901, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, 1901.

Ax long last comes the explanation of the once vexed quastion, Why was the order of the Imperial authorities for oats filled by the large merchants, instead of by the smaller farmers, to whom such a chance meant a great deal? The bare fact of the order having been received was made known and when the order was taken in hand by a few large companies much dissatisfaction wasexpressed and many went so far as to ascribe this as one kind of “ spoils to the victors.” At the time, despite all rumours, no explanation was given by the Government and the terms of the order were not made public. Now, however, in a letter to Mr John McLauchlan, M.H.R., the Premier gives what seems a complete explanation. He''says that the conditions of contract required the oats to be delivered in South Africa, the price to be then paid to include insurance and freight. Only a certain time was allowed for shipment, which was to be made on vessels carrying no other cargo whatever. The grain, previously examined and passed by New Zealand Government graders, had to be contained in 801 b bags. “ Now,” Mr Seddon writes, “ it is impossible for farmers to tender under the conditions fixed by the Imperial Government. They could not sell for delivery, including cost, insurance and freight, in South Africa, nor could they have fixed the delivery at a particular rate, nor complied with the conditions of filling a steamer by which no other cargo was to be carried, nor with other detailed restrictions unnecessary for me to mention. At the time upon enquiry we found there were no 801 b bags except those which were in the hands of a few of the larger grain merchants. The Government had to follow the conditions stipulated by the Imperial authorities, and we were thus restricted to those who could offer and supply in accordance with the conditions imposed.” It is certainly satisfactory to have heard this explanation, but there seems no reason why it should have been delayed till the present, and then conveyed in an indirect fashion. As matters now stand* many farmers think they were deprived of an opportunity to secure a fair price for their grain, and it will be a long time ere this impression is removed.