WHEAT GROWING

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 6

WHEAT GROWING

IXPORTANT STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. • HE ADJUSTMENT OF TARIFF FORECASTED. ISrECIAI. TO "the press.") ■WELLINGTON. March 2. A statement. was mado by the Prime Minister to-day on the policy which, in his opinion, must lie followed if wheat growing jg to bo encouragcd in Now Zealand. ''Something more definite will have to be done for the wheat growers than has been done up to this, if sufficient wheat is to bo produced for tho requirements of the ijopmlatiou," said Mr Mussey. '"One of the candidates in the by-election talked of the Government having put millions of pounds into the pockets of the 'wheat capitalists.' That sort of talk is simply unadulterated nonsense, which may go down with those who do not know any better. The wheat growers have had a succession of bad seasons, quite sufficient to discourage them, and even this season, though it has been an improvement on the last three, the yields are very patchy. The cost of production has gono up enormously—labour, implements, machinery, string for binding purposes, sacks, and every other article required in the industry arc very much dearer than before the war —consequently if wheat growing is to go on the wheat grower must get more encouragement. "At tho back of his mind all the time is the fear of tlumping from Australia, and that, is especially the caso just now, when it is well known that there are millions of tons of wheat in Australia for which shipping cannot bo found. And yet on account of its periodical droughts, Australia cannot be depended upon for a regular supply. I am convinced that Parliament must face this question and by a readjustment of tho Customs tariff placo tho New Zealand producer in as good a position as his competitors in Australia. Britain neglected food production and in conseguenco its difficulties during tho war have been greatly increased. Whatever has to be done, the New Zealand Parliament should seo to it that no importation of wheat or flour will be necessary in tho future. "An important matter like the wheat question cannot be settled except at a full meeting of Cabinet," Mr Massey went on to say, "and. just recently it has not been possible to get such a meeting, because Ministers have been scattered all over New Zealand. I hope, however, to get it before Cabinet during this coming week, and I expect that then a satisfactory arrangement will he made. "My suggestion is not that the alteration to the Customs duty on wheat should take the place >of the Government guarantee or purchase for next season, but that it should be in addition to it. The guarantee or purchase has effect only for the war period, but the other would last after the war, and give the producers tho security they require." I

NEXT SEASON'S PRICE.

DEFINITE PRONOUNCEMENT

wanted

At a meeting of delegates to the Ashburton District Committee of the Efficiency Board, held on Saturday, Mr H. F. Nicoll presiding, the question of wheat-growing for tho ensuing season was discussed at considerable length.

Tho chairman read a letter he had sent to Mr J. A. Frostick, Efficiency Commissioner, in which he pointed Otit that ho had been waiting for tho past few weeks for some pronouncement from the Minister of Agriculture concerning next season's whoat, and from the silence on tho matter it appeared that neither tho Commissioner nor .the Minister wa3 cognisant of tho seriousness of the position. Tliero were matters in this connexion requiring immediate' attention if tho Government wished sufficient wheat to bo grown in the Doj minion for its own requirements. The present harvest in the Canterbury district was a most disappointing one, and farmers as_ a body were satisfied that I wheat at os lOd f.o.b. waa not a payable proposition. The Dominion would bo in serious troublo next year from a wheat shortage unless steps were immediately takon to ensure a sufficient quantity being sown this autumn. 'J here were three essentials which required immediate attention —a satisfactory Ministerial pronouncement on tho 1918-19 wheat, exomption of teamsters and oxer,.<:tion of engine-drivers on threshing machines. The Efficiency Commissioner's reply was also read, in which he stated that lie was not unconscious of the position, and that ho had done his best in making representations on tho wheat-grow-ing problem. Ho hoped the farmers in tho Ashburton district would do all they could in. tho interest of foorl production. Tho chairman remarked that tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald had stated that there was plenty of wheat in the country. Tho reason" was that in 1916 large quantities of wheat were imported from Canada, and last year large quantities were imported from Australia, at prices higher than were paid to tho farmers in New Zealand. Tho cost of producing wheat had gone up enormously, and the farmer should not bo tied down to prices iu which ho had no say in tho making. Tho farmers were _ just as willing to make sacrifices as anyone, but they should not be bound down by restrictions. Tho farmer was now tho most restricted and heavily taxed "inn in the country. It would not pay farmers to grow wheat at 6s per bushel, and this he would prove l>y returns from well-known farmers, who each showed a loss on last year's wheatgrowing. Mr John Grig 2 raid that all the live stock we could produce was wanted on the other side of the world, and it would pay fanners hotter to grow beef, mutton, and wool than wheat. The crops which had at first promised well had, owing to the abnormal season, turned out bad. Taking the duty off flour and wheat gave the farmer an uncertain feeling and restricted the output of grain. He considered it was a mistake to take C'l men off the land. They should be left at home to assist in keeping up tho productiveness of tho country. Very few realised the heavy tax "the farmer was now hearing, and the money the farmer had in his business was taxed proportionately, more than any other business. If wheat was to be grown this season, action would have to be taken quickly instead of waiting till the last moment. He doubted very much whether there was sufficient wheat in the country to hist till the end of the year. The Government should use common sense and exempt the neccssary men to work on the land. Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P.. said he was opposed to tho f.o.b. price for wheat,

and considered tho farmer should hfl paid for his wheat on trucks, and tho Government would have to fix a fair price to induco farmers to grow wheat. Colouel McKenzie remarked that if the Government offered 7s 6d and said to the farmer who had w land that he must grow wheat, he felt sure the farmer would respond. It was ultimately resolved to write to the Prime Minister, pointing out that representatives of wheat-growers in the Ashburton district had met and that, it would be necessary for the Government. lo take immediate action in regard to the price to be paid for wheat, otherwise the quantity would not be rrown tris year. It was also decided to strongly urge the exemption of teamsters and engine drivers.