THE COMING HARVEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 16, 13 October 1917, Page 10

THE COMING HARVEST

WILL THERE'BE GRAIN ENOUGH? In the course of his address as chairman of directors to the annual meeting of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association at Timaru, Mr. John Talbot spoko at some length of the inspects of grain growers. He said that he was fully aware of the difficulties that farmers were facing, but he sin- 1 cerely hoped that they _ would try to produce enough wheat to fill the Dominion's requirements. "Generally speaking," said Mr. "albot,< "I think tho formers in Canterbury have responded generously to the appeal made by the Minister of Agriculture for the fullest possible cultivation. Whilst the price guaranteed by the Government—ss. 10d., f.0.b., for. good milling wheat—would, under normal conditions, appear to be' a good, remunerative price, the - disabilities and heavy expenses under which farmers are now working do not make the figure offered any more than is likely to give a very moderate return for the outlay and risk involved. Although the Government have named a price which they are prepared to guarantee, the position is surrounded with a great deal of uncertainty as to what methods -will be adopted for dealing with the crop. It 6cems to mo to-be quite clear that some further adjustment of price will. have I to be" made in assessing the relative values of Redchaff and Velvet wheats to that of Tuscan. Strong representations have been made to the Government as to the necessity of formulating a definite scheme, and the Prime Minister has promised that tho matter will be taken up and dealt with.by the Board of Trade as quickly as possible. "The growing crops are undoubtedly likely to be somewhat adversely affected by the excessivo amount of rain that has fallen during 'he past month. I'robably, with ihe advent of » spell of fne, warm weather, the position will right lt'gelf, but a continuance of broken weather, with very heavy rainfall, just now, may cause irremediable disaster to the prospects of big yields. "If any evidence is wanted to support the contention that the prospects are not bright, this is furnished by the position at the present time. Shortly after Inst harvest very strong efforts were made by the Government to induce a largely increased area being sown in wheat, and, in addition fo an appeal to farmers to do so on national and patriotic grounds, tho Government agreed to purchase all good milling wheat at ss. lOd. per busnel, f.o.b. Now, I think it is safe to assert that if on offer of 4s. Gd. per bushel had been made to farmers before the war to grow wheat, it would have resulted in an area of 400,000 or 500.000 acres being put under cultivation for this purpose in Canterbury alone. But what is the actual present position? From all available information, it would appear to be doubtful if the actual area sown will provide sufficient wheat to meet next year's need, unless the yield should prove an excpntionally good one. "With regard to the prospects for 1918 rowings, it is even considerably less hopeful; at least, that is my opinion, due to the various causes that have operated ngainst the production of an increased nrea this year being greatly intensified both in the present and in tho outlook for the future. If it be considered desirable that the Dominion should prnduco sufficient wheat for its own requirement, then I think it would be wise on the part of the Government to <i j

institute ns soou ns possible close inquiries, either through the Efficiency Board or the Board of Trade, into tho whole position, with a view of taking such steps ns may seem to be necessary to achieve this result."