AUSTRALIAN WHEAT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 171, 17 July 1918, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT.

SALE TO NEW ZEALAND

(Press Association Copyright.)

MELBOURNE, ..July 16. The Wheat Board has decided to sell to New Zealand 2,000,000 bushels of wheat at 5s 7£d per bushel.

I The .purchase is to make up< \'cshortage in various parts if New Zealand. Tne Minister of Agriculture stated' to_ a- Post representative that the threshing returns revealed a considerable shortage of grain.. There was a'.so the fact that some millers, particulavlv in the South, said that they were in ■rgent need if Australian wheat for mixing. The whole matter had been thoroughly discussed with farmers. j with the result that the information J available for the Government indicatj ed a probable decrease in the area that would be sown in wheat this year. After gettingr a careful estimate of the whole position and the prospect up to [ February, next year, the Government decided to buy Australian wheat. Mr■Shirtliffe, of the grain department of j the Timaru Farmers' Co-operative Company, was sent to Australia to negotiate on behalf of the* Government.' in conjunction with «he New ZeaJa-d Trade Commissioner, Mr Manson. After a thorough investigation in Ne.\ South \Vales and' Victoria thev received an offer of Victorian wheat, 'an option of purchase of £2,000,000 bushels. Th-« option was to Be open till midday vesterday The deal was closed in c'cod time by cable, on terms- regarded *•« satisfactory in the circumstances.