THE WHEAT SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1918, Page 5

THE WHEAT SUPPLY.

GREAT SHORTAGE EXPECTED! NEXT SEASON. Chriatchurch, July 24. At a meeting of the Farmers' Union 'to-day a telegram was. received from the . Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald to the effect that the decision arrived at by the W ference in Christchurch in April, nasnya ■ a minimum price of Os 4d per bushel tor all grades of wheat in the coming Bea* son, with a free market, was to be adhered to. _ , . The opinion was expressed that next season there would be a greater shortage of wheat than ever, and that com: pulsion should be applied to farmers who, had wheat'lafld and were not.cropping it. After some discussion on the exact meaning of a "free market,' fho meeting went into committee to consider information placed before it by the , Efficiency Board Commissioner, and 'on resuming in open meeting, the following motion was carried: "That this meeting approves of the action of its lives, in conference with the Minister,, in asking for an average rate of 7s per; bushel, with Government control, this, being the price at which wheat can bj landed in New Zealand from Australia.". «i During tho discussion it was 4d that a free market would enable % jcorner in wheat, and it was alleged thatt some Arms were already making pre{iara| 'tions to buy large quantities of wheat. >