NEW PRICE FOR WHEAT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 120, 6 March 1950, Page 4

NEW PRICE FOR WHEAT

“WELCOME NEWS FOR GROWER” (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, March 4. “This will be Avelcome news for the Avheatgrower,” said Mr George Stevenson, of Woodlands, Dominion chairman of the agricultural section of Federated Farmers, commenting this morning on the announcement by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr C. M. Bowden) that the Government had decided to pay 9s 6d a bushel f.o.r. for Avheat harvested in the 1950-51 season. “It is the fulfilment of the policy of Federated Farmers constantly advocated in the past and must he regarded as sound business,” he said. “A decline in acreage and a corresponding increase of high priced imported wheat are not in the national interest. The price is beloAV world parity, but the costs of production are to be taken into account in future negotiations. “This must be regarded as satisfactory in vieAV of the world supply position,” he said. “The change to f.o.r. Avill give a definite stimulus to such areas as Central Otago ■ and other areas suitable for AvheatgroAving which are distant from rail or port, and areas available for Avheatgrowing will be considerably increased. This early announcement comes at an opportune time,” Mr Stevenson said. “Criticism in the past has been too little and too late. Anything which can be. done to assist the labour and domestic help situation for harvesting Avill materially assist the position. This is a practical approach to the problem, and I am confident that greater acreages will be forthcoming.”