Australia May Fill U.K. Wheat Needs

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1947, Page 7

Australia May Fill U.K. Wheat Needs

CANBERRA, Sept, 5. Aided by favourable rainfall, which may produce a record crop pf wheat, Australia is aiming to ship 85,000,000 bushels to Britain during the coming season. Officials claim that it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Britain may be relieved completely of the necessity of buying wheat from America. The Minister of Commerce (Mr R. T. Pollard) has given a pledge of an increase of 25 per cent, in meat exports, 5 per cent, in butter and 55 per cent, in cheese. Primary producers consider that a reduction in the Australian meat ration will be necessary. At present. Australia’s surplus wheat is distributed at the direction of the International Wheat Board. Distribution was arranged primarily to make the best use of shipping, but it meant that Britain was supplied largely from Canada and the United States, and had to pay dollars for wheat. The transfer of the greater part of Australian wheat exports to Britain would effect a substantial dollar saving. A similar position exists in meat exports, with Britain buying from Argentina and paying dollars.