Page 4 Advertisements Column 3

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 268, 1 August 1918, Page 4

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

DOMINION WHEAT-GROWING DOMINION WIIEAT-GROAVING "Man wants but little hero below—but ho usually wants it below coat." MY DEAR TEOPLE,Last year wo had a similar wheat shortage to this year's one, and it took about 10 months to get across from Australia a million bushels, and you remomber well the scarcity of flour, bran, and sharps. Since then tonnage lias decreased, and freights advanced, and there aro .transit dangers similar in somo respect to what happened to tho Wimmera. If you let the Dominion's wheat-growing lapse through bungling, our annual requirements are about six and a half, million bushels. This is not a conundrum, but how long would it take to get it across, and how would you amuse yourselves in the meantime? Don't you think it is about time you aroused yourselves, and made an effort to save the Dominion's wheat-growing industry, as it appears beyond "tho seat of knowledge" to do so? Sir James and Sir Thomas both admit that we are having a heavy drain on our man-power and resources. Sir Thomas threw out a hint, which was resentod. (Vide cable and Press Association wire.) Sir James Wilson, President of tho Farmers' Union, before the Military Service Board at Marton, contended that ploughmen should not bo allowed to leave tho Dominion. The stores were' full of mutton, and in view of shipping difficulties lambs would probably liave to bo carried over next winter, and ovory available ploughman would be required if tho exceptional foed necessary was to bo grown. 1 Mr. D. Jones, President of the Canterbury Farmers' Union, when speaking recently on tho wheat question, said: "The war had illustrated it was dangerous for a country to rely upon outside resources for its food supply. The Government could not compel the farmers to grow wheat unless it provided them with sufficient and efficient labour. Tho depletion of labour had caused many farmers to adopt other methods—increased stockraising and less grain-growing." ' -Champion suggests that the Government should at once tackle the question of permanent wheat-growing in a businesslike manner and fix the price at Gs. 9d. or 7s. per bushel, f.o.b. at Southern ports, as it cannot be landed in the Dominion for loss, now or later on, before it is too late, and not keep it steadily in view like our prospective Northern Railways, county roads and land for settlement; otherwise, our generals will be caught and put the Dominion at tho mercy of the Commonwealth to pay what it dictates, as its crop this season, and not yet harvested, is reported to be 33 per cent, lower than last year' 6 one. The demand for its wheat from all parts of the world will be enormous and its export prices from 9d. to Is. 3d. per bushel higher than its homo consumption ouo, which is now Is. 9d. though tho farmers aro clamouring for ss. Od. You \can just imagine what wo aro in for if our farmers DO NOT RESPOND, and our Government "keeping the matter steadily in view." Tho Hon. Mr. Mac Donald's reply to tho Fanners' "Union I .hope docs not imply that the' Government will play hide-and-seek with the flour duty by removing it like it did two years ago, but kept it on wheat not to displease the wheat growers, though tho gamo forced down the price of wheat to a loss and mado tho millers the scapegoat. Was this playing tho game?

The time that is.wasted at this critical juncture, apart; from sending the money out of the Dominion, is simply appalling, and if similar methods were adopted by any business firm, they would become like the extinct moa, a relic of the past. The Government has no competitors at present, and how long will my people be content to muddle along by listening to platitudes, etc., while our principal food supply is passing to the Commonwealth, which is subject to droughts, etc., and what about our bacon, dairying, and carrying interests, which require largo quantities of bran and sharps, and tho Commonwealth has rarely any to export? The Commonwealth's import Customs duty on flour is J& 10s. per ton, on wheat Is. Gd. per cental, adopted by a.businesslike Labour Government. The Dominion's import Customs duty on flour is ,£1 per ton, and 9d. por cental on wheat, and we always have a shortage. My pooplo, can you wonder at tho Commonwealth always having a'surplus under normal conditions at moderate prices? ■ Givo tho same protection to tho Dominion and you will always have enough and to spare at moderate prices, instead of this perpetual tinkering, which is not only exasperating, but quickly killing the most essential industry,. wheatgrowing, and its numerous adjuncts, such as railages, etc., as on the raw material there aro always two labour handlings, but not so on the manufactured imported articles, flour, bran, and sharps. WHY DOESN'T OUR GOVERNMENT ADOPT THE SAME TACTICS WITH THE BOOT AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES ?.-AND THEN.'UtEEr THEM STEADILY IN VIEW." Tho milling capacity of the Dominion is about three times its requirements, so you need have no fear of inflated prices, as the competition is keen enough, while Champion is about, and he has never takdn - advautago of you during. strikes and war period. My dear people; this is a hcart-to-hoart'tnlk. Now do your duty promptly. ~ • I am, y AUCKLAND. Nunquam Non Paratus. (Never Unprepared, Alway Ready.)

The DOMINION MOTOR VEHICLES, LTD., are now prepared to accept orders for the famous CHEVROLET model, "Four-Ninety," with details that rnako this car most complete, ombodying features of higher-priced cars. Tho finishing touches given this 'advance 1918 model leave nothing more to vish for. It is complete in every way. Call or write for catalogues or demonstrations.—Advt.

Brisk demand for "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help, Is. 3d. packet, sufficient for seven weokly ■ family washings. W.F.C.A., Ltd., Advt.

If you cannot como in to iee ns, drop a postcard for our frco booklet, "Advico to Inventors." It contains nn abunditnco of valuable information concerning patenting. Study it at homo. Call if you can. Henry Hughes, Ltd., 157 Fcvtthorelon Street, Wellington, and elsewhere.—Advt, i