WHEAT SHORTAGE

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1925, Page 5

WHEAT SHORTAGE

NEW ZEALAND TO IMPORT NEXT MONTH. WELLINGTON, June 17. Hon Mr Minister of Agriculture, stated that he had acted in accordance with his promise to the wheat growers to with.hold the importation of wheat until after the end of June. In April last the millers had undertaken, stated the Minister, to purchase the whole of the available wheat in the Dominion, of good milling quality before the end of Juno, and the reports from his Department dealing with wheat showed that the millers !md carried out this undertaking. If anv <mod milling wheat still remains in the farmers’ hands after this month, the millers are still willing to purchase it at the arranged prices. They had recently urged upon him the necessity of supplementing the local supplies by importations from abroad. The Minister added that close investigation into the position showed that it was essential for some supplies of overseas wheat to bo purchased and shipped in .Tnlv.’ and as the necessary finance had been forthcoming from the fillers to pay for several cargoes, deliveries would bo effected during the next month to certain main ports in both the North and South Islands. Asked as to the effect upon the existing prices of flour, bran and pollard. the Minister replied that these would not be inci cased, nor would the bread prices alter, following on the ar. rnngement entered into between the wheat growers, millers and the Government nt the Conference hold in A ril ’nflt.