WHEAT GROWING.

Lake County Press, Issue 2637, 22 June 1916, Page 5

WHEAT GROWING.

A Serious Problem. The wheat supply of the dominion was the subject of some discussion in the House of Representatives on Thursday last (says the Wellington correspondent of the Times), and served to call fortli from the Prime Minister an important review of the wheat-growing industry and a warning that he would have seriously to consider the future outlook for the country from the consumer's point of view. Several Canterbury members stressed the difficulties under which wheat-growers were laboring, and Mr Talbot went so far as to declare that, unless the Government gave adequate protection to the industry, the production of wheat would descend to an unsafe level. The measure of protection asked for by Mr Talbot and others was an increased import duty against Australian wheat and flour. A MILD SENSATION. When the Prime Minister rose to speak he croated a mild sensation by declaring that, s . far as he was able to judge, the wheat supply of the country -vas oue of the most serious'problems that we had to leal with in the near future. The reason was obvious. All the indications—and he had been watching the position very closely, nob only, as a Minister of the Crown, but also as an agriculturist—were that farmers were inclined to give up wheat growing and raise something which was more profitable. Under the existing circumstances, he had no hesitation in s tying, as one who had practical experience of wheat growing, that it was the least, profitable of all the products connecte I with agriculture. The farmers we're business men, and it was only human fo.- them to desire to grow what paid them best. He was bound to say tnat, in spite of that for the last year or two they had been particularly patriotic. When he thought they would have been in difficulties for their wheat supply, ho took the responsibility on himself of asking the farmers to grow mors wheat, aud the respouse had been.most satisfactory. If it had nyt been so satisfactory the people of this country would have been in far worse case than they were. Unfortunately, the ' farmers had struck two very bad seasons. These dry seasons came in cycles, and, unfortunately, two had arrived in, succes- '' sion. Sufficient wheat, however, was expected to meet our next season's rcpiirement. DEPEND ON AUSTRALIA. It had been suggested, continued Mr Massey, that the farmers should give up wheit growing and raise something which wooli be more profitable. This would j mean that New Zealand would have to depend on Australia. In ordinary circum-

cunistances this would l>e all right, but, unfortunately, Australia was sulject to periodical drought*, and when one of those came along New Zealand would have to look to the Argentine, Canada, or evon England for her supplies, wjiile the expense would he enormous. Mr Horrtsby : It would pay you to guarantee them 5s per bushel for three years. Mr Massey : The problem will have to be taken into consideration, whatever the decision might be.