GREATER WHEAT ACREAGE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25270, 23 August 1947, Page 10

GREATER WHEAT ACREAGE

BROKERS AND MILLERS PROMISE HELP GOOD SEASON PREDICTED A resolution pledging whole-hearted support to the Government in its efforts to increase primary production, with particular reference to wheat as part of the programme of assistance to Britain, was passed at a meeting of 20 Christchurch brokers and millers convened to discuss the wheat question by the Wheat and Flour Controller (Mr R. McPherson) yesterday. The resolution was conveyed to the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) by telegram. “You gentlemen as brokers are the greatest factdr- in getting wheat grown—the farmers will listen to your advice,” said Mr “We have to try to impress farmers that the need for productWQ is just as serious as at the beginning" of the war. and I ask you to get behind the Government and strive for more than' the suggested target of 200,000 acres for 1948,” he said. If they all did what they could to get the growers enthusiastic he felt that there would be a response, he added.

This was an excellent time to start the ball rolling for the 1947-48 crop, said Mr R. H. Cranfield, although it would hardly be fair to ask farmers who had already made plans to produce oats, barley, or peas to change their plans and sow wheat. Mr A. Jones suggested that firms supplying fertilisers should be asked to co-operate, as he was satisfied that a lot of wheat growers had not gone in for wheat because of the shortage or that commodity. Corn sacks were in short supply, and he believed the railway truck position was difficult. “I understand that 12,000 bales are coming down —the supply position for corn sacks should not be bad,” said Mr McPherson. He added that Kempthorne. Prosser and' Company guaranteed a supply of fertiliser provided supply waggons were available. “I think that it is an ideal season for sowing, and I have never seen the ground in better condition for cultivation,” said Dr. O. H. Frankel (chief executive officer of the Wheat Research Institute). A relatively small amount of cultivation on middle or better class land would assure a good crop of wheat was sown, he said.

“That will apply until about September 10 in the South Island, so we have three weeks in which to act,” said Dr. Frankel. “I would suggest that you extend the appeal to the North Island; they could produce 12,000 acres of wheat with the greatest of ease.”