OUR FOOD SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2286, 21 October 1914, Page 4

OUR FOOD SUPPLIES

An extraordinary position exists' in New Zealand at present with regard to the supply of wheat . and Hour. It is now quite certain that we are faced with the prospect of a shortage, and the. Government has .found' it necessary to take action. Experience has shown that in norma! . times the lcss i the State interferes with the ordinary course of trade and commerce the better it is for all concerned; but an exceptional situation like that which now exists demands exceptional treatment. No Government could divest itseli: of responsibility in a matter of such vital importance as ' the maintenance of the. people's food supply. The Prime Minister a,nd his colleagues deservo commendation for, tho care they have taken in facing this difficult and delioate problem, and there is, every _ reason to hope that their efforts will in this case, its in so many other difficulties which they have had to meet, prove entirely successful. In explaining the position in tho House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister. ,stated that tlie quantity of wheat and flour at present in New Zealand is not sufficient to supply the needs of the population till next harvest. Some feme ago.the Government recognised the probability of a shortage, and soon after the outbreak of the war Mr! Massey with 'great foresight purchased a quantity of wheat in Australia. The jcxpoi't of wheat and flour from New Zealand was prohibited. A'similar prohibition on the part of Australia subsequently interfered with the ordinary process of augmenting our own supplies, but an arrangement was mado with the Commonwealth by which contracts for tho supply of wheat to New Zealand were allowed to bo fulfilled. The Government is now in communication with Australia, Canada, and the United States in the hope of securing enough wheat t'o make up for the existing shortage. It is thought that between nowand the middle of February there will be a deficiency of about 12,000 ■ tons of flour. The Government proposes to remit the duty if_ private individuals will import this quantity; if not the Government will import it. This is a very reasonable and proper proposal in view of the emergency which has arisen, and Ministers are to bo congratulated on tho steps they have taken. In a matter of such national importance it is hardly conceivable that anyone should for a moment seek to provoke party controversy and endeavour to embarrass the Government. The great majority of tne HBuse of Representatives, indeed, seemed tp realise the obvious duty of approaching the question from the national standpoint when the Prime Minister mado his statement yesterday afternoon; but Mr. Witty was unable to miss what he regarded as an opportunity of _ embarrassing the Government. It is regrettable,' of course, that anyone should seek at such a time to indulge in electioneering of such a nature; but is quite in keeping with the politioal ideas and methods of the member for Riccarton. So far as the public are concerned, there Ts no occasion to view the position over-seriously. There is every prospect that the shortage will do satisfactorily met.