AUSTRALIA'S WHEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S WHEAT.

THE REQUISITIONED SHIPS. POLICY CONDEMNED. CHECK ON OVTWABD TONNAGE AND AGAINST EMPIRE ( "■"■■■ INTERESTS. : (Received 12.20 p.m.) !,■ ~ " LONDON, March 23. - "Fair Play," the shipowners' organ, refers to the selfish folly of Australian wheat farmers in insisting that their crop be carried at any cost, regardless ,of the claims of other members of their jof the claims of other members of the -community or the interests of the United Kingdom. It hopes that Mr. Uughee will realise that his Government cannot take up the position of Lord High Rcquisitioner without injurious results to the Empire. Tonnage is scarce, and for general cargo to Australia exorbitant. Bates have been offered without attracting tonnage because owners know that the Australian Government is waiting to pounce on British tonnage coming along and to compel owners to take about half the freight to which they are entitled compared with other business offering. Thus the Australian.farmer is depriving the entire community of a thousand and one articles required from Britain and America, or if it eventually gets them it pays through the nose for freight. Mr. Hughes is much too sensible not to ccc the disadvantages of the present policy. Granting that the wheat problem is serious, "Fair Play" is sure that Mr. Hughes must first recognise that it must always be subservient to Imperial interests.