WHEAT FOR FOWLS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 5, 1 October 1935, Page 6

WHEAT FOR FOWLS

Importation From Australia

Allowed

NORTH ISLAND SUPPLIES

A decision to allow Australian fowl wheat to bo imported free of duty aud primage was announced yesterday by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. R. Masters.

"Contrary to expectations, the quantity of locally-grown wheat available for poultry-feeding purposes will not be sufficient to meet the requirements of poultry-farmers until next season's supplies come on the market,” the Minister explained. "The demand for this’ class of wheat has been, and still is, much greater than was anticipated, with the result that stocks are being reduced to such an extent that it has become necessary to make arrangement:, for future supplies. "In order to protect the interests of poultry-keepers, the Government has decided that a quantity of wheat sufficient to meet the requirements of the industry up to December should be imported from Australia, and arrangements have been put in hand for the shipments to be made. As is always the case with a shortage, prices tend to harden, but in order to guarantee our poultry-farmers continuity of supply, and at a price not in excess of that now being paid for the local wheat, the Government has agreed to allow this wheat to be imported free of duty and primage. Thus, the industry will be assured of full supplies at prices not in excess "of those ruling at present.” First Shipment to Wellington.

It is considered that the existing stocks of wheat still held by the Wheat Purchase Board, by farmers and by merchants in the South Island will be sufficient to meet all demands there, and the importations are therefore being confined to the North Island. It is expected that the first shipments will arrive at Wellington about October 9, at Auckland about October 11, at New Plymouth about October 13, and at Napier about October 24. The Minister also explained that arrangements bad. been made for the Wheat Purchase Board to attend to the distribution of the wheat on behalf of the Government, and that merchants, therefore, should make immediate application to the Wheat Purchase Board, Christchurch, for the total quantity that they will require during the months of October and November.