THIS SEASON'S WHEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16757, 25 January 1918, Page 5

THIS SEASON'S WHEAT.

DISTRIBUTION TO MILLS. MINISTER EXPLAINS SYSTEM. [Br TSLEORAPn.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHHISTCHURCH. Thursday. In a statement made this evening on ths | wheat question the Hon. W. D. S. Mac- ( Donald said that weather conditions durt ingthe past two months, and particularly during, the last month, had militated somewhat against the yield that was anticipated'earlier in the sea-;on, but if the " yield came up to the average of the last 10 years there would probably be sufficient wheat for local requirements, and it was hoped there would be no necessity this • season to import from Australia except perhaps a small quantity for mixing purposes. "In view of the increasing shipping difficulties," ho continued, "it is to be hoped that such a result will "be achieved, as last year the strain that was - put upon intercolonial shipping resources r to bring from Australia approximately one i and a-half million bushels was severe and , New Zealand, which is eminently fitted to 3 1 grow sufficient wheat to satisfy its own res quiremcnts, should not be faced with the _ | spectre of a wheat famine. | "Early in February, when the wheat * j controller will be in possession of the 1 i necessary statistical data which is be:n? 1 j furnished by millets, showing their out I put capacity of mill and pr 'bable re- . , quiremcnts, an allocation cf the crop will 1 , ha made accordingly to each miller, the , j various varieties being properly propor--31 tioned. Warrant to purchase the amount r I so allocated will then be issued to millers, • I and they will be expected to take, delivery I of as much of their allocation a.- they can accommodate in their own miiis, or find suitable storage for. Brokers have been instructed to arrange, as far as possible, that, all deliveries w'iil he made direct to tho mills, or to the millers' stores. If the farmer cannot make an immediate sale, and is compelled by force of circumstances to' hold his wheat, he will be given an extra halfpenny per month from April to | September for R(> doing. This rate will ! probably be sufficient to recompense the j grower if he is compelled to put his wheat , I through store. | " Should there be any surplus of this ■ season's croi after local requirements have been satisfied, the Government will, of '■ course, purchase it right out and carry it ' over to next season, and it will relieve I my anxieties very greatly if the surplus is j a substantial one." i Mr. MaeDonald added that, as far as j possible, brokers would make prompt settlements with farmers, and, in terms of the contracts made, would pay for all wheat delivered on the first and the fourteenth day of each month.