THE SHORTAGE IN WHEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1918, Page 7

THE SHORTAGE IN WHEAT.

To the Editor. fcir, —So it ig just dawning on the community that this country ia up against the greatest shortage in whea I suppose we have known, and I don't wonder at it. The producer is made to sell at >Gs O'/id per bushel, with restrictions, and allowing Mr. Middleman a free hand to sell as much as he can get hold of at 8s Cd per hushcl for fowl feeding. Mr. Massey has given it out in this conntry that a man who 'has grown wheat for twenty years is a jworer man to-day than when ho started out, and I can say without fear of contradiction that, as far as Taranaki is concerned, you cannot grow wheat in Taranaki at a fair margin of profit at fis per bushel, and, where ten acres were grown last year, there will not bo one, this year. We are spending, and have spent, hundreds of thousands during the last two or three years in "building new freezing works and enlarging old oilestostoTe all the cheese, butter,"meat, etc-, that this country can produce, and the said stores are pretty well filled, from all accounts, because of the want of shipping. On the other hand, wo are shouting with a loud voice for shipping to fill the empty wheat stores throughout the country. I do not want to appear a cjoaker, but I would like to igve Mr._.Townie a straight tip, and that is, if you don't jump on to the powers that foe with a very big boot you will he paying Is 6d for your little 41b loaf before you know where you are. The man who puts a good, workable scheme on foot in this country to fill those empty barns will deserve wellmeriteil praise; and, don't forget, there are only two more months to do it in. So let someone hustle, please.—l am, etc., PRIMARY PRODUCER. Urenui, July 12. i