WHEAT AND POPULATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9467, 9 June 1909, Page 3

WHEAT AND POPULATION.

It is true, writes J. K. Oarthew, grain expert, that the population of the world is increasing every year, and naturally more bread is being consumed, but this is nothing fresh. China and Japan, however; are consuming rather less rioe and more wheat products, which is a new feature, though not Jvery important. On the other hand, vast areas of land are to be broken up and cultivated in the United Canada, Argentina, Australia, India and Russia. 'ln my opinion, the additional supplies of wheat derived from these enormous tracts will be quite' equal to the Increased consumption. Argentina twenty years ago exported no wheat. It is now the second largest exporter in the world. India and Australia were practically unknown as shippers of wheat thirtyfive years ago, whereas now they play quite a prominent part as growers and exporters of this cereal. The world is one vast wheat field, and it generally happens that if there is a failure or partial failure of the crops in one hemisphere, it is made up by au abundance in the other. A universal shortage or anything approaching it is quite inconceivable.. The higher quotations recently prevailing will naturally stimulate the production in all .wheat-growing conntries, so much as in all probability to bring abont an appreciable reduction in prices within a few years.