DROUGHT IN THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16129, 18 January 1916, Page 7

DROUGHT IN THE SOUTH.

POOR WHEAT CROP LIKELY. FARMERS' SERIOUS OUTLOOK. [BY TELEGRAPH. — TRESS ASSOCIATION.] C'nßisiOHrßCH. Monday. The Prime Minister, who returned to Christchimh this evening from a tour of I South Canterbury to inspect the. grain ! crop, said all tho crops were suffering from the drought, oats a great deal moro J nan wheat. The latter, however, was , remarkably patchy and likely to give a very poor yield in comparison with the ordinary season. On the important question oi whether there was sufficient wheat in the Dominion for requirements it was impossible to give a definite, answer until the threshing machines got to work. There are 100,000 acres more in wheat this year than last, but the crop was not nearly so big. All the threshing machines were required to keep an accurate tally, to be supplied to the Government statistician, so that the position may be known as accurately as possible. It was important that there should be sufficient area sown ingrain each year to provide the Dominion's requirements. Farmers had responded well to the appeal to grow more wheat and oats, but on account, of the drought in Canterbury and North Otan-o there would be a great deal of difficulty in making ends meet. Unless rain came soon ho did not know what farmers were going to do with their store stock. It was impossible to grow root crops, and the position therefore was serious.