PRICE OF WHEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 269, 24 August 1945, Page 3

PRICE OF WHEAT.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO DO - RIGHT THING. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 23. Canterbury was the granary and food store of the Dominion, and the misfortunes experienced in recent months Avould he serious for the rest of New Zealand, declared Mr C. M. Williams (Government,' Kaiapoi) in the House to-day, speaking in the Budget debate.. The province provided not only wheat but also a large part of the potato supply for the NorthIsland. “I believe,” he said, “we shall have the smallest yield of Avheat of the last 60 years even if we have a good season. Justice demanded that the AvheatgroAvers should receive 7s Id a bushel.” He suggested that the potato position Avas even more tragic than Avheat prospects. Wet Aveather prevailed' for two months of the digging season and the crop from the heavier land, though at first thought to be good, was now turning out badly, and he did not think it possible to save enough to provide an adequate quantity of seed potatoes for next season. Mr C. M. Bowden (Opposition, Wellington West) who was the next to speak, said that Mr Williams often expressed sound views but, unfortunately, the Minister of Agriculture had been obstinate with the AVheatgrowers. He and many other members pf- the Opposition Avould support the demand that a fair thing shouhLbe given to the wheatgroAvers. The additional price Avas being Avithheld from them Avhen the country’s food supply Avas in a perilous position. It might be too late completely to overtake the leeway, but the Minister should promptly take notice of A\diat had been said and bring in a neAV policy in a hope bf saving the position.