FARMERS' CHARTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 220, 11 June 1920, Page 7

FARMERS' CHARTER

BRITISH AGRICULTURE BILL ENCOURAGING PRODUCTION OF WHEAT By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. London, Juno 8. On tho second reading of tho Agriculture Bill Sir A. (J. Boscawen, Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, pointed out that before tho war Britain only produced wheat to suffice from Friday night to Monday morning; for tho rest of tho week she depended upon foreign imports—"wo wero agricultural weelconders," said tlio secretary. Production had improved during the war, and tho Government was determined not to let agriculture slip back. It was undoubtedly cheaper to grow wheat in England at tho present time than to import it. Tho whole question for tho future was how'to get our daily bread. Tho Bill might bo called "Tho Farmers' Charter," but it was introduced in tho national interest, and to malco tho best use of the greatest national asset. Tho koynote of the Bill was security all round—security for ■ tho farmer by means of guaranteed prices; security to the labourer by a minimum vage; security to tlie State by giving it certain control of cultivation so that tho maximum amount of food might be produced.—Reuter. AUSTRALIAN - WHEAT SUSPENSION OF IMPERIAL CONTRACT URGED. Sydney, June 10. In view of the wheat shortage 'the Labour Party conference resolved in favour of suspending the Imperial Government wheat contract till the end of the year. A number of mills are. shortening hands owing to the want of gristing supplies.—Press Assn. ACUTE SHORTAGE IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (Rec. June 10, 11.20 p.m.) Sydney, June 10. The wheat Shortage is becoming more acute daily. Many mills in. the country and suburbs have closed, and it is expected that the remainder will follow suit unless supplies are speedily brought from Victoria, as there are only sufficient stocks to last another two or three days.—Press Assn. It is estimated that the wheat importing countries require 080,000,000 bushels this season, and tho available supplies ' from exporting countries are estimated at, 785,000,000 bushels. The countries of supply are Bushels. United States 284,000,000 Canada 80,000,000 Argentine (including old wheat)' : 184,000,000 Australia (including bid wheat) 100,000,000 India 80,060,000 Total 788,000,000