SUPPLIES OF WHEAT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2444, 24 April 1915, Page 6

SUPPLIES OF WHEAT

INCREASED ROWINGS HERE. GOOD PRICES IN PROSPECT. A short statement about, tie'' prospective supply of wheat for New Zealand next season was made yesterday by. the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. \V. P. Massoy). ' "l am of opinion that there will be a sufficient area of wheat grown in this country during the coming season to supply the requirements of the Dominion," said ill'. Massey. "Thero aro numbers of farmers who have suitable land for the purpose, and who possess the necessary plant m the way of implements and machinery. Many of these will increase the area which they are in the habit of planting in wheat, and others who have lor some years given up the growing of cereals,-will revert to their former custom of using part of their land for the production of wheat and oats. And they will do so for two reasons.' Because at a period like this it is a duty they owe to the. Empiro to assist' in increasing the 'Empire's food supply, and also because it appears now that the growing Of cereal crops will be profitable for some years to come. . "It is quite certain that while the war lasts there will be a very serious falling off in the quantity. of wheat produced in European countries, and it has to be remembered that Europe under normal conditions produces more wheat than all the rest of the world. The American visible. supply is lower than it lias been for years past. Ab against these facts a larger area than usual is being grown.'in Amorica, and as they are lmving a good seed-time in Australia for autumn-sown wheat, and as after the recent drought tho land must be in particularly good older for cropping, our neighbours have >6ason to expect a satisfactory harvest. _ But taking all.tho indications into consideration, the probability is that while prices will be lower than they are now there is no branch of agriculture that will pay tlie farmer who has, suitable land better than wheat-growing for the next two or three years."