IMPORTATION OF WHEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1918, Page 7

IMPORTATION OF WHEAT.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. ■ ; (Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, April 19. The Minister of Agriculture, referring to the wheat harvest to-day, stated again that there was going to be a shortage. The Dominion needed over 8,500,000 bushels of wheat in a year for all purposes, he said, and this season's harvest was not going to produce much more than 0,000,000 bushels. The total might be less when the harvesting returns had been completed. He believed that the importation of wheat would be necessary. The Minist'A* added that he would be conferring with representatives of the millers shortly, and would be able then to decide what ought to be done. Mr. Macdonald added that the importation of wheat from Australia was not an easy matter, especially if the landed price was to be kept reasonably low. The price of sound wheat in Australia was by no means as low as some people seemed to imagine, and the cost of transport was very high. 'lf unsuitable steamers were used for tlje conveyance of wheat the wastage was excessive. Last year two ships were used to carry wheat from Australia, and they took eleven months to bring 1,200,000 bushels. It might be possible to get a certain quantity across by using space that became available casually, but the cost jier bushel would be excessive, and would have to be added to the price of the wheat and of the flour. The Bodrd of Trade view is that the Government ought to take steps to obtain an adequate supply of Australian wheat without delay. The shortage is considered to be a fact, not an estimate. There is no danger of tje pinch being felt for some time to come, but on the other hand the longer the matter is held over the more difficult it will be to make a good bargain with the Australian authorities and to arrange for shipping.