THE WHEAT YIELD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2404, 9 March 1915, Page 7

THE WHEAT YIELD

CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN WAS EXPECTED. • (Br TdflSTODh.—Press Association.) Auckland, March 8. The Prime Minister stated to-night that since the estimate of the Department was made threshing operations had commenced in the wheat-growing districts, particularly in Canterbury, and it was almost certain now that the yield would be considerably higher than was expected a month or six weeks ago. "Though it is more than doubtful even now whether New Zealand will this season produce enough wheat for its own requirements," he continued, "still the increased quantity will have a tendency to reduce the present prices. That, along with the probability of the Russians being able to get wheat through the Dardanelles in the not far distant future, ought td make prices easier nil over the world."

"I. have arranged with the RegistrarGeneral's Department," proceeded Mr. Massey, "to obtain from owners of different. threshing plants, as nearly as possible, an. accurate- return of the quantity of wheat threshed by each mill. Then I am using the legislation at present on the Statute Book to obtain from every flonrmiller and every grain merchant, each fortnight, the' amount t>f wheat or flour which is in store and the price at which it is being sold. That action is taken with the object of preventing any possible exploitation of the public."