PRODUCTION OF WHEAT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24913, 28 June 1946, Page 6

PRODUCTION OF WHEAT

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO STATE PLANS

MR NORDMEYER REPLIES TO MR HOLLAND

(From Cur Parliamentary Reporter.) . WELLINGTON, June 27. Tne price paid for wheat was mentioned in the House of Representatives to-day during a discussion on shortages of various commodities. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) asked what the Government proposed to do to Increase the prowlSat ’ and ths Minister of Heaith (the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer), Jr 011 2r W fi d ’ countered by saying that Mr Holland was not prepared to suggest what should be done Mr Holland said world stocks of wheat were far below requirements, and New Zealand was drswing on ttiose all too short stocks. In 1936 New Zealand had sown 248,000 acres compa(F?d 165.000 acres in 1943. Mr C. M. Williams (Government, KaißPOi): You know why that is. Mr Holland: Weether conditions had something to do with it. Mr Williams: Practically everything. Mr Holland said that if there were a surplus or an increase in production the Government claimed credit but if there were a decrease it blamed it op the weather. The Government had bought Canadian wheat at 13s Id a bushel, and was paying about 9s Id for Australian wheat, but New Zealand wheatgrowers got only 7s Id What were the Government’s plans to increase production and avoid the need to call on the world’s meagre stock pile?

Mr Nordmeyer said Mr Holland would not stand up and say what the Government ought to do. He left that to the Government, and was not giving anything away. If the price to growers were increased the Government would have to pay a higher subsidy or the retail price ot bread would have to be increased. Mr Nordmeyer said he understood the Australian grower received only about 5s 6d a bushel for wheat consumed in Australia. He received a higher price for export, but that wss only a small proportion of the crop. if the New Zealand grower were entitled to world parity prices now. his price should be reduced when the world parity fell. No one would suggest that.