THE WHEAT SHORTAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3873, 9 March 1915, Page 7

THE WHEAT SHORTAGE.

bountiful har vest promised STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. (Press Association Telegram.) 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 he considerably higfw. than was expected a month or six \V(?o]vS ' “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 present prices. That, along with, the probability ot the Russians being able to get wheat through the Dardanelles in the not far distant future, ought to make prices easier all over the woild. “j have arranged with the Regis-trar-General’s Department,” proceeded Mr Massev, “to obtain from the owners of the different threshing plants .as nearlv as possible an accurate return of the quantify of "iirat threshed by each mill. Then I a l '-' using legislation at present on the Statute Book to obtain from every flour-miller and every grain merchant each fortnight the amount of wheat or flour which is in store and the price at whidh it is being sold. luv action is taken with the object of preventing any possible exploitation 01 the public.”