NEXT WHEAT CROP

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21243, 15 August 1934, Page 16

NEXT WHEAT CROP

SMALLER ACREAGE PROBABLE EXTENSION OF SPRINGSOWING ADVISED The survey published of the world wheat position may influence farmers to curtail their spring sowing programme, for the reason that a heavy surplus in the Dominion could be marketed only by export at a loss and a consequent depression in the price paid for wheat for local consumption. The experience of the bumper crops a few years ago is sufficient to indicate this possibility to farmers. At the moment, however, there need be no fear of a bumper crop, for the reason that the acreage of autumn and wintersown wheat is the smallest for years. This fact has been established by in- j formation collected from various dis- j tricts. The information confirms the observations made from time to time by those Interested in the industry and who have travelled through the province. Such being the ease farmers who have land suitable for spring-sown wheat can go ahead without any fear of assisting to create a surplus. The 1934 crop of 9,000,000 bushels will just about meet requirements. The Wheat Purchase Board is still carrying a million bushels over from the 1933 season—or rather it will carry the equivalent from the 1934 crop—and it is possible that this may be required to meet a shortage in next season's crop. The extent to which this may prove to be the case will be governed by the acreage of spring-sown wheat. As far as the duty is concerned the Increase in the price of wheat abroad is not a factor. The advance has created no impediment to a continuance of the importations, except that with a livelier and much bigger market in Europe Australian exporters may not bother so much with the small outlet of the Dominion. But it would be a very useful handle for a few North Island politicians and Auckland trade interests if the Dominion had to depend on importations as a result of a small crop next year. Experience has shown that they can build up an argument to suit any position—as an instance, if there should be a surplus which requires export for an outlet the growers are being charged with "dumping" it abroad whilst North Island hens are starving, and on the other hand, if an insufficiency for requirements is grown througi climatic setbacks they are charged v 'tii wilfully restricting production in order to keep the price up for themselves. Although the wheat crop, more so than any other, is controlled by the weather, North Island opinion is controlled by no such factor. It would seem that the sliding scale of duties will be the country's policy for quite a time, provided farmers respond to the protection afforded. For that reason they can extend their spring growing with confidence, and even if the unlikely probability of an excess developed next season and export became necessary, it would not be at such a sacrificial price as was obtained on the last occasion.