THE WHEAT QUEISTON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 214, 4 June 1919, Page 10

THE WHEAT QUEISTON

DISCUSSED BY THE MINISTER. : - Discussing the wheat question in Christchurch on Jlomiay, tho Minister cf Agrieultuio (Hon. W. 1). S. MacDoiiafd) said that despite the fact that thrashing' this year was' very much later titan usual, nevertheless up till May 23 Urn millers had contracted to take tho siuue quantities as last year. They had contracted to take 1,00U,000 bushels of wheat, which was more than half of the wheat crop. There would have been -oven greater purchases had it not boon for the shortage of certain types, and for Ihe shortage of shipping plying between the North and South Islands. Had it not been for that, another 250,000 bushels would havo been sold.

From May to September the. price would bo increased Id. per bushel per; month. In addition to thi.j the wheat' growers had the Government gunumtiso that it would take over any surplus of gobd milling wheat, and this ought to bo sufficient security to the bunks and mercantile firms in regard to their purchase of orops. The Minister said, that, with the Government's absolute guarantee, there should not l>e any difficulty .at all in regard to finance in connection 'with the wheat crops. Ho recognised that iu the past the fanner* had grown wheat' for purely patriotic reasons, and •he whs convinced that if the farmers had taken the advice given them some of their leaders regarding a freu markfet they would tc-<]ay have been setting 3s. M., instead of ,6s. fid. per bushel. ' Commenting 'ou a'statement made by Mr. D. Jones, on March 13 last year* that he (Mr. Jones) was convinced that in the WlB-1!) season farmers would, grow wheat, not for patriotic- reasons, but on "a purely business basis, the Minister said that the farmers were now well satisfied with the price and the terms of the Government guarantee. Ho was. convinced that on tho price offered by the Government for next year's crop there was a sufficient inducement to ensure that a reasonable area, of laud wonld be .sown, in wheat, a≤ a good business proposition. ..