EXTENDING THE WHEAT AREA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2406, 11 March 1915, Page 8

EXTENDING THE WHEAT AREA

| ANXIETY OVER SUPPLY OF SEED. (By Telegraph.-r-Press Association.) Auckland, March 1 10. Representations have, been made to the Government by the Auckland Farmers' Union in respect to the difficulties ill obtaining at a reasonable, price seed lor extensive sowing of cereal and other crops. In a letter to the Prima Minister, the provincial secretary to the union, Mr. A. Schmitt, stated that the farmers had been advised to keep back sufficient 6eed wherever possible for sowing increased areas. Branch secretaries had been instructed to endeavour to' gather information as to the intended area to be sown in wheat,, oats, maize, rye, and potatoes, and to ascertain what steps were being taken to secure seed, the fear being that as the time went on the cost of seed would be so high that only about onehalf of the intended area would, be sown. Tho suggestion was made that the Government should undertake to supply at'least a portion of tho seed, the payment for which to stand against the crop. The Government should advertise that all farmers wishing to increase; tho area intended to be sown could procure seed from the Agricultural Department under suitahle conditions.

Replying to these representations, Mr. Massoy wrote that it the Government arranged to supply seed to one man it would have to supply it to a large proportion of the farmers, bringabout an impossible position. "Judging by present appearances," the Prime Minister, proceeded, "seed Wheat suitable for spring sowing will be dear, and I cannot possibly recommend any of the imported grain for the purpose. Last year we. aid something in the , way of paying half railway freight on seed wheat and we may do so again, though there is not much in the latter so far as each individual is concerned. I hesitate about encouraging the growing of wheat in .small patches, because I have noticed this season that where there were no other crops ripening at the same time the birds got most of the grain. .. Then, too, thore is -the lact with which every wheat-growing farmer is well acquainted, namely, that land which will grow oats very well indeed ma.v not. be at all suitable for wheat. It is _ very unfortunate that we have experienced a drought both in Australia and. New Zealand (luring the war period, and if crops/in New Zealand had been i p to average' this year we should not have had to go outside New Zealand for our wheat. There would have_ been -just. about enough for our requirements, and as far,as I?m able to ascertain there,.will be a much larger area sown this season.. Mr. Massey added that he : would endeavour to bring the .subject before Cabinet.