Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, AUG. 10, 1937. WHEAT INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 214, 10 August 1937, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, AUG. 10, 1937. WHEAT INDUSTRY.

As chairman of the Wheat Committee the Minister for Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) yesterday commenced a tour of the wheat-growing districts of Canterbury and North Otago. The Minister’s object is to meet farmers and their wives and to discuss with them problems associated with their industry. The discussions should be invested with a good deal of interest for dissatisfaction has been expressed in the south with the price fixed for this - season’s wheat. One point which has caused concern to the authorities is that, according to the Wheat Committee, there will be a shrinkage of approximately ten per cent, in the area sown this year. The Committee’s information is based on answers to a questionnaire circulated in the wheatgrowing districts, and though not necessarily accurate it enables a reasonably correct estimate to be made. There can be no doubt that the forecast has disappointed not only the Minister but also millers, bakers, and the consuming public. Mr Sullivan earlier this year made appeals to the growers to co-operate with the Government to make a success of State control of the industry. But the growers have expressed dissatisfaction with the price fixed for this season’s wheat, and it has been clearly indicated that quite a number were not averse to taking up other forms of production which, in their opinion, would return them a better profit. The Committee, on the other hand, regarding the anticipated decline in the area under wheat as an effect of a bad preparatory season experienced by the farmers, contended that the shrinkage was due to inability rather than to disinclination to sow. It supported its view with the statement that many farmers who had their ground turned over had been prevented from proceeding with their work because of abnormal rains that had generally hindered agricultural farming in the south. The Committee’s explanation of the unfortunate situation that has developed, says a South Island report, seems to be one that may be accepted, for it is probable that,the majority of farmers accustomed to making the best utilisation of wheat lands would have been prepared to carry on as usual, regardless of their dislike of certain features of the control plan. They would at least have been certain of a fixed price, instead of having to make the best of market fluctuations as well as of the vagaries of lie weather. It is qiiite possible that importations will have to be resorted to, if the Committee’s, forecast should prone correct, so that millers’ requirements can be

fulfilled. ( In that event supplies would have to be bought on a market which has shown considerable strength in recent months. This would mean a higher cost factor ■ which would add to the Minister’s task in trying to keep the price of bread stable. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the Minister on his tour of the wheatgrowing districts will hear a good deal of plain speaking.