N.Z. PRICES LIFTED

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1944, Page 5

N.Z. PRICES LIFTED

Wheat and Oats

TO INDUCE BIGGER SOWINGS.

P.A. WELLINGTON, August 18. "To meet increases in the wheat growers’ costs, the Government has decided that the price to be payable for the, 1944-45 crop shall be 6s fid per bushel f.0.b., March, Tuscan basis, this amount representing an increase of fourpence over the present price,” stated Hon. D. G. Sullivan to-night. “Of course, this 6s 6d per bushel, includes the halt-penny per bushel retained for the wheat growers’ insurance fund, as was the case with tne old price. So that New Zealand! mav become more self-sufficient ui wheat supplies and less dependent on imports, it remains important that every endeavour should be made to secure an increased acreage. There apparently was some decline in the acreage sown in the autumn this year. Accordingly, if the acreage harvested this season is to reach normal 1 levels, there will, need to be a considerably larger spring sowing. The price increase will assist the farmers to undertake this spring sowing. The new price is for wheat harvested in the' 1944-45 stason. Discussions will be held with representatives of tne industry concerning the price for the following harvest. As farmers will shortly be preparing the ground for that harvest, it is hoped to make an early announcement concerning tne 1945-46 price.” "Parallel with the increase in the price of wheat, there will be an increase in the bushel price 1 : of white milling oats, the ceiling price, on trucks, for which will be increased ley twopence per bushel from 3s 6d to 3s 8d per bushel on l trucks,” stated Mr. Sullivan' to-night. “This increased, price will! be paid on the coming season’s harvest. This is an offset to Increased costs. It- will, it is hopea, encourage the growing of white oats, not only to. supply the local market, ■but to enable us to fulfil British WaiOffice contracts for oatmeal. Any surplus over New Zealand requirements can be exported to Britain. ’