ADDITION TO PRICE FOR WHEAT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 78, 19 April 1937, Page 8

ADDITION TO PRICE FOR WHEAT

roieo-raDh - Press Association.)

Plan to Encourage Growers MINISTER'S STATEMENT

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CHRISTCHUECH, Laat Nigfit. The following statement bas been iissued by Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister. iof Industries and Commerce: t yiew of tho ocouomic factors whicfi have caused the Government to embark on a tincere policy of encouragement to wbeatgrowera and adequate protection for tbe industry I again appeal to farmers to play their part by doing everytbing in their power to provide tbe people of this country with their full wheat requirements. By planting a sufficient acreage to produce 9,000,000 busbels a year, the wheatgrowers will provide a national service of very great value to themselves, to their employees, to the transport services, to the pouitry aud pig producers and to every man, woman and child in this couiitry. It is not necessary for me to explain to wheatgrowers the economie factors whieh necessitate the policy that I am following because these have been stated over and over again and are well known to wheatgrowers. But I do want to assure the wheat farmer that I am sincere in my desire to make this industry and the closely allied industries of flourmilling, baking and poultry-keeping, as efficient and as' productive as possible consistent with & full and proper service to the consuming publie. "With these objects in view I have again given much thought to the matter, and realising that the success of the whole plan depends on a full supply of wheat from our bwn sources for the Dominion's requirements, I wish in order to encourage planting to assure growers that I will add to the price for this year— -5s 3d March f.a.q. Tuscan, basis f.o.b. — which can be taken as a minimum for the next crop, any increases that may be justified by increased costs. This will, of course, apply only to wheat actually grown in the 1937-38 crop. This is the best assurance that I am able to give growers and with this knowledge I feel sure that they will take the matter np wholeheartedly and give me the support that is required to carry out the plan that the wheat committee is now administering. "I have been pleased with the way in which tho United Wheatgrowers organisation has supported the plan and with the assurance I am now conveying to the growers I.feel that the required acreage, approximately 300,000 acres, will be sown. On account of the short yield this year it is a fact that the whole of the crop now in existence will be required and will be consumed before the next harvest will be ready. In making this announement I am not losing sight of the interests of the publie generally as bread consumers and would like to point out that whilst there have been eonsiderable increases in bread prices in' Australia, England and other parts of the world, tbe Government of New Zealand has been able to stabilise prices for bread in this country. ' ' According to a cablo from Sydney, received last evening, wheat values have suffered a heavy reverse in Sydney, where,'upon xeceipt of overseas advice, quotations for prompt delivery feli ibout three pence per bushel.