SHORTAGE OF WHEAT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4808, 10 July 1939, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF WHEAT

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES. PALMERSTON NORTH WORK. 20,000 BAGS TO BE STACKED. Evidence of the Government's preparation for an emergency is the storing of a large quantity of wheat at the Palmertson North showgrounds, which is now in progress. It has been well known for some time that the grain has been purchased for such a purpose and held at the main ports, but now the activity has spread to secondary cities' and ports. Stacked high in a portion of the machinery hall of the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association are rows and rows of bogs of wheat that have been brought over from Australia. Already there are 5000 bags in place and before long the numbers will have been increased to 20,000. A large shipment has been landed in Wellington from the intercolonial steamer Kurow, and it is being brought up to Palmerston North by rail and placed in the spacious halls that are available at the showgrounds. There were about nine men engaged the other evening in the work, which has been in progress for two days, and it is expected that it will be a week before all the wheat is in' place. The facilities that are offered in Palmerston North can cope with much more than this shipment, and if the whole of the accommodation is utilised considerable assistance will be given to avoiding any congestion in Wellington in the sheds of the Harbour Board.

It is understood that similar provision in the North Island against an emergency is to be made at New Plymouth and Napier.