AMERICAN COMPETITION IN THE HOME MARKET.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1068, 8 February 1883, Page 3

AMERICAN COMPETITION IN THE HOME MARKET.

English farmers are about, it seems, to witness a new phase of American competition. They already know the effect of an abundant harvest in the United States in keeping down the price, which, but for this, English wheat would fetch in a bad year. This year the harvest in England, though not good, is still better than it has been of late; so that, though prices may be low, the farmers will have a good deal ot wheat to sell. But the surplus wheat crop in the United States is large beyond all precedent; and wo are now told that those who hold it are beginning to realise that if this crop is to be disposed of in Europe, it can only be by asking little for it. Although, therefore, the deficit in the supply of home-grown wheat will be less than has lately been usual, the amount of American wheat seeking to displace the home-grown crop will bo larger than ever. There •is a price of course below which it would not answer the American grower’s purpose to ship wheat to England, no matter how mnch he may have on his hands ; and the problem will be whether this point will be reached before the English farmer is virtually driven out of the market.—St James’ Budget, 13th October.