WHEAT-GROWING IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 60, 4 December 1917, Page 8

WHEAT-GROWING IN NEW ZEALAND

Sir,—Seeing an article in your issue of November 30 on the above subject. The writer suggests that we would be in a much better position if wo bought our wheat from Australia, and used our wheat lands for the growing and fattening of stock for freezing purposes. There is no doubt but that wheat can be grown much cheaper Australia than in this country, principally on account of the much lower price'of land over there. The scarcity and high price asked for flat land suitable for wheat growing here makes it almost impossible for the Government to get any blocks suitable for returned soldiers who wish to get on that class of country. This propipts me to make an offer to the Government, which may be worth their consideration ; and that is to buy a block which I can offer them of 20,000 acres,

all flat land, in one of the best wheat'growing districts in the Darling, Downs, in Queensland, at the same! price as I paid for it seven years ago,, viz., £3 10s. per acre, freehold, payment in Government Bonds at -1} per' 1 cent. This property, if cut up into, blocks of 160 acres cach; ivould settlo a good many returned soldiers, who could crow ivlieafc-, and sell it to New Zealand; and would in one favourable season make moro off the land than: it would' Cost them. As showing the. quality of the land, I may say that*last year I cut a forty-acre paddock of lucerne seven months after it was. sown, and stacked in the first cutting: forty tons of liay. With oil tractors'the whole of this land can be utilised, for cropping purposes. At present, it is carrying over one sheep to tho. acre, besides cattle, and is admirably adapted for close settlement. I know that similar land cannot be bought in this country for Jess than £50 per acre. If cut up in small bionics there will bo no land tax to pay. Tie average rainfall is 28 inches, and water can be got at 60 to 70 feet all over it. If the Minister of Lands would think my offer worthy of consideration vei' | are at liberty to gTve mm my laame. lln the meantime I will remain,—K am, etc., A FARME R.