asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider waiving the deductions in the price of wheat for moisture in view of the very bad weather during the harvest.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Moisture Content—Price Deduction.
Licensed millers and licensed wheat dealers may, under the Emergency Powers (Cereals) Order, 1946, make deductions from the standard price payable to growers in cases where the moisture content of wheat exceeds 23 per cent.
In view of the unfavourable weather conditions during this season's harvest, it has been arranged that licensed millers and licensed wheat dealers should give some latitude in the matter and refrain from making deductions unless the moisture content is considerably in excess of 23 per cent. It has been ascertained that in practice deductions are not being made where the growers have taken reasonable precautions to get their wheat into good condition before threshing.
Is the Minister aware that the farmers in his own constituency have sent resolutions to the committee of agriculture asking that the moisture deduction be waived? Is he further aware that the price to farmers has been reduced by 10/-? I have here a receipt which shows that a miller paid a farmer only 45/- per barrel for his wheat. Does he think that fair to the farmers who grew wheat during the whole emergency? As one with 24 years' experience of flour milling, I know that wheat must be damped in order to make flour and does he think it fair that the millers should be allowed to make this deduction when the guaranteed price is 55/- per barrel, as we have so often heard announced on the wireless? I ask the Minister to look into this matter, particularly in view of the bad year farmers have experienced, and to give the farmers a chance, if he is anxious to encourage wheat production in future.
All I can say is that the guaranteed price is for merchantable wheat, wheat fit for milling, and it may be quite fair to the farmer and everybody else to see that only 45/- is paid.
Where a farmer threshes his wheat on the first available day after it seasons in the stack, and in order to secure that it will be milled in the best condition, sends it by road to the mill at 9 o'clock at night to get it dried out lest it should deteriorate, does this discretion which the millers have promised the Minister to exercise operate, and does that farmer get 55/- for his wheat albeit it has more than 23 per cent. of moisture in it? If the Minister thinks he does, he will have to think again, or I will send him a note too.
It will not worry me very much.
They are fooling you.
Question No. 39.
Is the Minister aware——
Will Deputies please realise that somebody must regulate the number of supplementaries? It is my duty to do so, and, in justice to those who have questions lower down in the paper, Deputies should refrain from trying to put supplementaries after the next question has been called.
I am sorry, Sir.
The Deputy is not a bad offender; he does not interrupt too much.