PRICE OF WHEAT.

North Otago Times, Volume CI, Issue 13234, 4 March 1915, Page 3

PRICE OF WHEAT.

To the Editor of "The Times." Sir—Would you please allow me space in your paper to comment on the price of wheat? Seven shillings per bushel seems an enormous price for wheat. Where are all our clever men who could not foresee this world shortage coming? Last year the fanner sold his wheat for us Od, but this year he is not'so keen, in case he sells too low and fatten the middleman, like he did last year. However, the question is—What is the market value of wheat? Supply and demand must rule the price, and until threshing is finished the supply will not be known. According to the area put down in .wheat—and the average will not be more than 20 bushels-I think the demand will exceed the supply.' I think the Government would do well by looking into the supply and demand, and find out what price wheat can be imported for before setting the price. We have been, importing from Ausrralia and Canada, and the quality is inferior and wasty, compared to the New Zealand wheat, and yet to-day we are offered 7s for first-class wheat, while in, Australia and London (ho price is from Ss. to Ss Id. There must be something wrong when we have a greater shortage than Australia, and the millers arc from hand to mouth, and half the time idle. It is the opinion of manv farmers that before long the price will be 10s per bushel, and the middleman will fall in for Hie .'is without exerting himself— 1 am, etc., SQUARE DEAL.