WHEAT SUPPLIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 290, 8 December 1925, Page 14

WHEAT SUPPLIES.

SHORTAGE IN THE CROP. LARGE IMPORTS NEEDED. GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF PRICES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Monday. Ti-.e Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Nosworthy, to-day made the following announcement: — "In May last the Government .gave consideration to the agreement between the millers and the growers by,which it was arranged that if protected against fluctuation in outside markets the millers would undertake to pay for wheat grown in the Dominion during the 1925-26 season 6/5, 0/7, and 6/9 f.0.b., sacks extra, for Tuscan, Hunters, and Velvet wheat respectively. The Government agreed to this proposal ori the understanding that approximately sufficient wheat for local requirements w6uld be grown ih tbe Dominion. There is> every reason for believing that the" growers would have produced the necessary supply; but adverse weather conditions throughout the winter and Spring have prevented the SOwing of large areas, and it is now inevitable that large quantities of wheat must be imported in 1920. "A meeting of miliefSi. gfoWetSj poultrymen and merchants last' Week resolved to ask the tiovefnhient to take control of the market 'bj purchasing and reselling both locai ahd ifepbffed Whfiftt, and this request has norf been cerisidered by the Cabinet. After careful consideration the Governffierit has agreed to this proposal, and regulations to gilfe effect thereto will shoftiy.be g&2ettedi Control along the lines decided upofi Will not involve any increase in the pficeS bi flour, and bread, and will allbW 6f a reduction in the prices of bfah and pollard of fl per ton. "Fluctuations in prices Will be feliiiiinated and growers will be assured tit th 6 prices agreed upon. TheSfe prideSj it may be added, are at the preSeht Mm! feeloW the importing parity. "The milling industry Will he enaMed to carry on throughout thd year* with the resultant advantages ifi the Matter of supplies of bran &iid £<jila±a. ¥fi§ arrangement, too, Wil eliminate to a large extent the unneceSsM y ii ariSf efe&ce of Supplies from SGUth .td.Nofth at ,& time when local production ii Materially short of our national needs, and pbuitty wheat will be made at&ilabie ifi bfijth the North and South Islands &t the lowest possible rate. The pfppoSfti} thefefbrej has substantial advantages; and is ihdfe particularly desifable during a geflod 6f world scarcity &fld spe6t^iatlien. ,,