Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1917. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WHEAT PROBLEM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1015, 7 November 1917, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1917. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WHEAT PROBLEM.

The Government is dealing wisely in lending the producers every possible assistance in connection with the purchase and handling of the 1917-18 wheat crop, and it is to be hoped that, as a result of the conference held in Christchurch last week, the difficulties that at one time seenied likely to mar the success of the business will be all cleared away. If "in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom," Mr Mac Donald was right in extending invitations to attend the conference to the members of the Hoard of Agriculture, the Board of Trade, the Fanners' Unions of the South Island, and the millers of the Dominion, and in also inviting representatives of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and the brokers and grain merchants of Christchurch, Dunedin, Oamaru and Timaru. Hut could not the middle mail have been eliminated, .since the Government is actually taking his place? The Government policy was decided upon before the conference was convened, and the point was emphasised, by the Minister ot Agriculture in opening the proceedings. "The Govern ment's intention to purchase and to control the wheat was,'' Mr Mac Donald .said, "fixed and unalterable." Farmers arc to receive the guaranteed price of os \M per bushel, 1.0.b., with slight .increments for deliveries after April. The Hoard of Trade's scheme which i.s made the basis of the new arrangement lov's away with all private purchases and constitutes the Government sole purchaser of the crops. The nailers are inly to be allowed to purchase through Government agents; a small committee is to Ue appointed to assist in administering the scheme, and such committee is to consist of representatives of the millers, farmers, grain merchants and brokers, with a controller, who is to ivork in conjunction with the committee ;o appointed. Why again the middle men? Tito Government being the sole uirchaser what need is there for the broker? And why the provision that lisputee which may arise between growers, brokers or millers are to be decided iv the Government grader? The other ratable points in the scheme provide or a differential price to be fixed for vheat for North Island growers, "the liil'erence to go to the grower," and hat the price of sacks is to be definitely fixed ; also the price of seed and fowl ivheat,

PRODUCTION SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. \ On [taper, the scheme looks workible, but it is open to at least one very , lerimis objection. The main object the loard of Trade apparently has in view s to keep down the price of bread. t •The Government" (Mr Mac Donald old a newspaper reporter on Friday) ( 'was out to do its best to prevent any • ncrease in the cost, of living so far as tread was concerned.'' But, while it nay be .successful in doing that next ,-oar, the country may pay too dearly ' or keeping down the price of bread. • •Two-dollar wheat" has come to stay II AWriou and Canada; the price has - udeed advanced to two and a hall dolars, and wheat is costing LOs per iiishel in England at the present time. I'liere is, moreover, a world shortage if wheat, and although by one of those anions anomalies, for which the war is responsible, there are huge stacks ol nain in Australia—the surplus of the List two harvests—which Mr Hughes, the Federal Prime Minister has stated cannot possibly be cleared away beioro the new harvest's wheat comes in, the New Zealand Government had to pay 3s (id per bushel, f.0.b., for the yam it.purchased from Australia tins voir, and it is understood that the cannot be landed here under 6s 3d or (is Id per bushel. If the duty ol one shilling per cental is added, the actual cost is increased to about 7s or <s s!d per bushel. The wheat grower may, therefore, feel that the Government is not dealing fairly by him, in restricting the price to be naid for the 191718 crop to os lOd per bushel. If he has that feeling, it will certainly tend to make him shy of further wheat growing enterprises, in which ho is liable to incur heavy losses, a.s he did last year. The more serious part ol this business is the effect it may have on the future of wheat-growing in this country. It is more than ever imperative that every facility should be given for increased production. TO HELP THE GROWER. The actual area under crop for wheat and oats this year is within ten thousand acres of that sown for the L 91617 season. But there is a marked increase in the area tinder wheat—--293,945 as against 224,291 acres last year. The additional 50,000 acres sown may be accepted as an indication that our fanners have loyally responded to the appeal made to them by the Government to grow more wheat. But the area under oats has fallen from 504,726 to 484,237 acres, and oats are still a comparatively scarce commodity, selling at enhanced* prices. An average harvest should ensure sufficient bread supplies for the coming year, but, should the yield only equal that ol last year. there is bound to be a further shortage, and heavy losses will be incurred by many growers, seeing that the cost oi production hqfs so iargely increased. Some absurdly low estimates have been given of the cost of wheat growing, and an attempt was recently made locally to show that it is possible to grow wheat, and make it a payable proposition, for 2s 6d per bushel. It is very questionable, however, if wheal can be profitably grown in this country at a cost of less than .1:7 or £8 per acre, probably more. According to the British Board of Agriculture the pre-war cost ol 1 wheat growing in the United Kingdom was £7 17s lid per acre. Under war conditions it has varied between £9 17s and LIT 19s2d per acre, as shown in a AVfiite Paper recently issued by the Imperial Government. It is quite possible our producers are finding it an equally expensive matter to grow wheat, and, consequently, on last year's average, they would be at a very heavy loss. The appeal to the farmer's patriotism is all very well in its way, but it can hardly be expected to succeed if his efforts in responding to it involve him in financial loss, especially when more remunerative methods of farming are open to him, What he really needs is greater security. It may bo said that he has that in the Government guarantee of a fixed price for his crop. But it is questionable if the price offered is sufficiently alluring to help him at the business. The fact that the farmers of the North Island have only sown 9,932 acres with wheat this year seems to suggest that the inducement offered is not good enough. There are other factors operating to detrimentally affect the wheat grower's position, but these will be better dealt with on a future occasion.

Tn tlh* Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, Henry Alexander Lucas and Violet Lucas, ;i young married couple, charged with receiving stolen stationery, were acquitted. Poundage fees to the amount, of £1 18s were collected in the Borough of Palmerston during October, an indication that the streets arc being kept practically free from wandering stock. The engineer (Mr Jickell) stated at the Borough Council meeting last evening that the municipal baths were sufficiently advanced to permit of their being opened at the end of the present month. The thoroughfare between Palmerston and Pahiatua, known as the Pahiatua track, is at present in splendid order, and is used by many motorists in preference io the Gorge road (says the Wairarapa Age). The abattoirs report submitted to the Borough Council last evening stated that 118 cows, 57 heifers, 75 oxen, 27 calves, 904 ewes, 455 wethers. 171 lambs, and 159 pigs were slaughtered during October. One heifer and two pigs wore condemned. It is proposed by the Motor Cycle Club of New South Wales and Victoria to again promote the Sydney-Melbourne -Motor Cycle Reliability Test, which was u most popular event a year or two back. The test, will probably be held at Christmas time. Judging by the condition of the stock, the past winter has been a hard one throughout the Forty-Mile Bush. The warm rains experienced during the past few weeks have caused the grass to come away, however, and milch cows should .soon come into full profit. The bullock-guessing competition at the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Show resulted as follows:—The weight of the bullock was 927j{lbs, and Mr 1).- Collis and Mrs W. Freeman divide the first and second prizes, taking i) 6 10s, each guessing 927ilbs. Mr hj. A. Abraham, who guessed 927ilbs, secured the third prize. In the Police Court, at Daimevirke yesterday, Charles Thomas White, formerly a farmer at Tataramoa, was charged v\ith a criminal assault on Ist. January. 1817, at Tataramoa, on his stepdaughter. On the application of the police accused was remanded by .Mr T. Bain, .1.1'., to appear on the 15th met. Bail was refused. The new special tobacco for the outdoor or indoor man is High Admiral. In dark and aromatic, plug or cut. —Advt. The amount, of pleasure and profit you can secure during the day depends upon the recuperative value of the hours of sleep. The CM.It. kapoc bedding is designed on scientific principles that enables you to secure 60 minutes to the hour ot sleep that is sound, comfortable and refreshing. Are you satisfied to spend restless nights upon inferior mattrasses when C.M.H.'s cost no more. Let u s demonstrate to you the advantages of our scientifically made bedding. The C. M.Ross Co., Ltd.—Advt, Always useful! One of our Thermos and Icy-Hot Flasks can bo put to all kinds of uses, and will always bo found reliable and valuable in the home. Watson Bros., i tit —Advt. "Nazo!" is the 'handy' cough remedy. Keep a bottle in your vest pocket. A dose in time saves nine. Small bottle —big results. Is 6J for 00 doses.—Advt.

rii- Excellency life Governor will* review theTiSrtynrst-.and Remforcements at Trontham on Unday next. The prolific growth of grass mil,, fasterton district is having a had effect upon thi constitution of lambs. No fewer than four members or the Pahfatua Borough Council were, charged la*t wSkwith breaches of the borough by-law-.. They were £in< d. The Defence authorities advise that 63 ia Private Donald Melvrile, A Coy., Thirtv-third Reinforcements. died at F ,at.lierston Military Hospital at 10 am. on Monday. The certified can., of death was cerebrospinal meningitis. "I consider." a shearing expert told the Third Military Board at Wellington, hat on account of the shortage of men each shearer in the South Island will have to take 5000 sheep for the coming year. I his is 1500 more than in normal times It will take 1200 men to get through the season in the South Island.",

An unfortunate accident happened in Mastertoii on Monday evening to a boy, ecven years of age, named Peter Romany. lie was in company with other lads celebrating Guv Pawkcs Day. when a 'double banger exploded in his face. The boy. who was severely burnt, was attended to by Dr Helen Cowi'e, and subsequently sent, to the hospital. Owing to the scarcity of boy labour in Ashburton, the Ashburton Electric Supply Company has engaged a girl on - he mechanical staff. Her work incudes the manipulation of the elcctncally-driven machinerv the manufacture of minor parts. !IIU | various other duties. The manager of the company, Mr A. Dawe, expresses him»elf as thoroughly satisfied With the experiment, which shows that girls can be trained to do this kind of work quicker and to "stick" to it more consistently than the a vera "c bov. The wages paid are practically" the "same as boys receive who are doing similar work. Cameras are very sternly discouraged as playthings for soldiers on the Westem front. In the last copy of General Orders issued by General Godley appeared an announcement that an officer, Lieutenant M. B. Forgie, had been found guilty by court-martial 4< of being in possession of a camera." The punishment was reduction of seniority, to make hi.s appointment date from that of the court-martial, and so to reduce his chances ol early promotion, and lie was also to receive a severe reprimand. At last night's meeting of the Borough Council, the Mayor mentioned the proposed dissolution of the PalmerstonKairanga River Board, and said the Minister oi Internal Affairs had notified that objections to the dissolution must be lodged within one month. The Mayor said that it was the general opinion thai the Board should not be allowed to dissolve. This opinion was supported by the Council, and a committee, consisting of the Mayor and Crs. Crabb, Broad and Bryant, was set up to go into the matter.

At yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court, John G. Beattie (Mr Blair) proceeded against Durward and Davidson (Mr Junes) on a claim tor L' 17.5. Plaintiff's statement was that it was mutually agreed that in consideration oi the sum of £75 in cash and two approved Hills of £SO at a, currency of six and nine months, ho was to transfer to the defendants certain agencies and orders. Plaintiff stated he had done so. hut defendants had made no payment. For the defence, Mr Innes said it had transpired that a number of the agencies plaintiff was to transfer wore not in his hands at all. Lengthy evidence was heard on both sides, after which the Magistrate reserved judgment.

A timely suggestion was made by Cr. P. .). Small at yesterday's meeting Oi the Kairanga County Council in regard to the forthcoming County elections. Cr. Small stated that seeing the shortage of labour that existed in the country districts, and to save the ratepayers' time, polling booths shoufd be opened at convenient centres'right through the county on polling day, so that for a ratepayer to record his vote it would not be necessary for him to sacrifice the greater part of a day, as had been the case in the past. Councillors were unanimous that the suggestion was a move in the right direction, and should be acted upon. A motion to this effect was carried accordingly.

In Los Angeles, on September 19, a crowd of soldiers, variously estimated at iron) two to four hundred, wrecked the headquarters of the Industrial "Workers of the "World. Typewriters and furniture were broken, windows smashed, and all movables demolished. There were no reported casualties, and no arrests. The soldiers, in columns of squads, marched down San Pedro street and swung into Fifth street, where the headquarters were located. At a phouted command they halted and remained in line while three or four of their number stepped inside and told --Philip MeLoughlin. secretary of the local, and two or three loungers that they wero going to "wreck the place."

The question of the overcrowding of a local theatre on a recent Sunday evening, and the use of theatres for holding political meetings ou Sunday nights, was mentioned by Cr. Rolfe at last night's* meeting of the Borough Council. Cr. Eolfe said it had been reported that there was an attendance of over 1000 at the theatre in question, which had been constructed to accommodate 850. The matter should be. enquired into, and it was decided to ask the inspector to report at the next meeting of the Council. Regarding Sunday night meetings, Cr. Rolfe questioned if the licenses permitted the use of the theatres on Sundays for political meetings, and thought the theatres should he brought iuto line with the Opera House, It was decided to refer the question to the Borough Solicitor.

A deputation from the West End School Committee, consisting of Messrs C. H. Whitehead and 0. Ronberg, waited on the Borough Council last evening, and brought under the Conned s notice some matters that required attention in the interests of the school children. The first was that a small portion of the footpath on the College street frontage be, asphalted. ' At the present time the footway was overgrown and a large number of the children got wet-footed on their way to school. The other matter was that on the Botanical Road frontage there were a number of boles in the footpath, and whilst the Council was carrying out work in that locality, some of the spoil could be used to improve, the footway. The -Mayor, said the Council was always ready fo do its best to assist the schools, and the requests made would veceW* the best consideration. Cr. Crabb said it the Council could assist at a reasonable outlay, then it should do so. On Cr. CrabVs motion it was resolved to have the proposed works carried out.

"By George, it looks like new !" That's what a pleased man said when wo handed him the Panama hat. he had brought us for renovations. Soft felts and panamas made to look almost as good as new by our process. The cost is so small that it pays handsomely to bring in vour hat. Co'dinson and Cunninghame's men's section.—Advt. Your canary will do better on Spratt's seed. It is as clean as bird -fed can bo made, so you don't pay for dirt! Every carton contains a piece of cuttle fish Iwne, which birdie relishes. Seed is a mixture that, time has proved to be right. Packets 8d and Is 3d, at Collinson and Son's, Broadway.—Advt.

The new tobacco is High Admiral, to go untried is not wise. Got some now. Aromatic or dark. Plug and cut.—Advt Quick's the word when "Nazol" gets to work. Gives instant, relief from coughs; colds, catarrh, and sore throat. Pleasant o Lake. One trial proves its effioaw.— Advt J

T!u- name, of Air A. K. Cleaver should havo been starred in the ballot, published in last evening's isEiiol 'l'h.' estate of the late Mr ('. F. Orecnslade, a member of the firm of Speight and Co., brewers, Dunedin, has been 6Worn for probate at £IOO.OOO.

Colin Campbell McDonald, farm cadet Marlon, who appealed at. yesterday's sit ting of the Appeal Hoard on the ground ot being under age, hud liin. appeal allowed He enlisted immediately afterwards at th< local Group Cilice. "Did you enlist before you married?' asked a member of the Military Service Board at Napier on Monday of an appellant who had married recently. "No," replied the appellant. "When 1 got married, the war was coing to be over at any tune. 'there were various enquiring looks, ami a number of surprised remarks from lliose present at tin's statement

'the Minister for Internal Affairs has received from Mr W. E. Hyde, treasurer o the Commercial Travellers {surprise 1 acket ('inside recently conducted at Palmerston, war loan certificates to the value- of £2500 to be added to the funds lieing administered bv the National War Guilds Council for the relief of soldiers, widows and orphans. This amount will bring the total sum in the hands of the War Funds Council for the relief of soldiers' widows and orphans up to about £'50,000.

Few people are aware of the. difficulty with which the Defence Department is faced in getting some reservists into camp. A man was drawn in a ballot. and transferred to the local group. He was medically examined and classed A fit, and after appealing had His ease adjourned sine die. At the rehearing of the case, he was ordered to camp, but as three months hud alapsed since hi? medical examination ho had to be re-examined, when he was again passed as fit A. He appealed again, and had his case adjourned temporarily, and at the rehearing obtained a just, reward for his perseverance by again having it adjourned sine, die. The latest regulations for territorial and cadet training during the continuance, of the war state that the amount of obligatory training to be carried out annually by terri. torial units in country areas will bo seven days annual training in camp, ■ the musketry course to be fired during the ramp. Each territorial will also be required to report quarterly, and to notify any change of address. In town areas territorials will require to undergo 20 drills of U hours each, six half-day parades, and seven day-' annual training in camp. The cadet units in country areas arc required to undergo four quarterly half-day parados, and in town areas, 54 drills of lj hours, and six half-day parades. The regulations further state that no territorial or cadet employed in an industrial industry will be permitted to attend a voluntary parade, or course of instruction unless lie produces a written certificate from his employer stating that his services can bo spared. Blank certificates for this purpose will be obtainable from unit, area, or group commanders, The training of the machine gun sections and scouts will bo suspended during the continuance of (he war.