The Wheat Crop.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 5 October 1917, Page 4

The Wheat Crop.

Fixing of Price Urged,

Wellington, September 28. The wheat question formed the subject of some talk in the House this evening during the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill. Mr Anstey said the farmers must know early what the price for the 1918-19 crop w»s to be. Had it not been for interference in a mistaken way wheat would be. cheaper in New Zealand than it was at present. The Government had simply fixed the price- of wheat, and allowed the millers to buy it as they pleased. As a re3o.lt: some millers had bought a lot of wheat up, and others had called out for more, and the Minister of Agriculture rushed to Australia. There was sufficient wheat for nine months, but some millers were closing down now for the coming season. The Government should take control of the wheat crop immediately after the harvest, and they would then know the exact position. If there was a shortage arrangements could be made for importing some in plenty of time. The wheat-grower seemed to be treated as a pariah. He was never helped when he had to produce wheat below its cost of production. There had never been the slightest encouragement given to wheat-growers though every other industry—butter, cheese, meat, and wool —had been encouraged.