THE WHEAT SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2372, 30 January 1915, Page 6

THE WHEAT SHORTAGE

The prompt and effective measures taken by the Government to cope with the situation caused .by the shortage in the New Zealand wheat supply have now removed all danger of the quantity available being insufficient to meet the ordinary requirements of the country until the next harvest comes in. The Government did not wait until tin position had become acute. The matter was looked into in November last, and as inquiries showed that the amount of wheat in New Zealand would not be large enough to supply the needs of the people steps were taken to-secure sufficient from other countries to fill the gap. The Government felt that in an emergency of this kind it would be t unwise to run any risk. The maintenance of an adequate food supply is of such vital importance that, in view of all the circumstances, the Prime Minister decided that the matter could not be left entirely to private enterprise. He therefore entered into negotiations with the Giv-i -nraents of Canada and Australia with the object of securing a_ sufficient quantity of wheat to tide over th 9 period of uncertainty, and arrangements were in due course made which will ensure an adequate _ and regular supply. The Australian cargoes have already begun to arrive, and it is now announced that the Government has secured 1,000,000 bushels from Canada to be shipped in July next. These arrangements have had the desired effect, and the possibility of something like famine prices for bread has been removed. The difficulty of making good the shortage on the present occasion was increased by the drought in Australia and the general unsettlement caused by the war, and it is very, satisfactory to know that the problem has now been successfully solved, thanks to the foresight and prompt action of the authorities. It seems anomalous that a country like New Zealand should not grow enough wheat to supply its own needs, but as the Prime Minister remarked at Levin on Wednesday, the farmers conducted their business from a commercial point of view and found that it paid them better to raise other products. However that may bo it is very desirable that New Zealand should be self-supporting as far as such an essential commodity as wheat is concerned. The war has strongly emphasised this fact and the lesson taught by our present experience should be taken to > he.art by our agriculturists. All will agreo with the hope expressed by the Prime Minister that ir. a year or two New Zealand will get back to its former position and grow enough wheiU its tm's home wjbsubiu' Jooa<