THE SUPPLY OF WHEAT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 135, 10 February 1915, Page 3

THE SUPPLY OF WHEAT.

COUNteT SAVED FROM WHEAT FAMINE. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. The subject of the supply of wheat -was referred to by the Prime Mlnistei a eonversaton wth a reporter. “ Reports from the wheat-growing districts, M he said, ‘'arc very much better than they wore a Title while ago. Experts consider that the crops in Canterbury and North Otago will average five bushels to the acre more than was anticipated in the early part of December. Already some of the present season’s crop is coining in and small fjnantitie.se are available from the North Island. It has to be remembered, however. that for some time the new wheat will have to be mixed with the old .wheat inorder to produce first-class flour.” Mr, Massey went on to say that by the time the next foreign shipment of wheat arrives, stocks will have become very low. but he did not anticipate any serious difficulty. By the week after next, the whom of the wheat ordered from overseas will have arrived in New Zealand, and it must not be forgotten that we have secured the option of a milium bushels fr< m Canada to be delivered in duly. '‘Further,” said Air. Massey, '“in addition to the imported wheat wo have handled tXIO tons of flour, which has been distributed in various centres cs required. We are also in a position to say there is no quantity of wheat being held for the purpose of exploiting ‘■lie public. Some of the millers hold- considerable stocks, but there is no hoarding on the aart of millers or farmers. By tabrng rdvantage of the machinery possessed by he Registrar-General’s Department, tire Government is keeping in touen with the position as it changes from montht to month and the procedure will bo continued right tl irough the present season.”