WHEAT PRICES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 January 1939, Page 5

WHEAT PRICES

AHNISTER DEFENDS POLICY

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON. January Hi

Discussing the price of wheat to New Zealand growers fixed for the 1939-40 season—s/9 a bushel —Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister for Industries and Commerce. explained that because lof abnormally large crops in the northern hemisphere, the world price of wheat was at present, very low. but. that fact, to the Government, did not seem to be a reason why the price rereived by New Zealand growers should be reduced, Those countries which were selling their grain in world mari kets at extremely low prices were, in | all cases, subsidising their wheatgrowlers, and in effect dumping their stir I plus. i "The New Zealand wheatgrower is | performing an essential service," Mr Sullivan said. "Wheatgrowing is a ' vital industry in our economic system, and is indispensable from the view point of national security in lime ot war. The Government, believes that the wheatgrower is entitled to a fair price for his crop, irrespective of conditions in other countries. Never before has the producer known so far m !advance the price he will receive for his crop, and I conlidently anticipate That with this assurance of security 1 the wheatgrowers of New Zealand will . respond by sowing sufficient wheat to icnable us to dispense with importations during 1940.”