WHEAT STOCKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23266, 8 February 1939, Page 12

WHEAT STOCKS

STORING 11,000 TONS *

NATIONAL EMERGENCY . GRAIN FROM AUSTRALIA: ASSURING BKEAD SUPPLY To assist in meeting Auckland requirements for , bread in case of inter, national complications, 11,000 tons of Australian milling wheat Tvill be stored in the transit sheds of the Auckland Harbour Board during the coming year. The wheat will be delivered as fast as possible" and is expected to arrive within the next two or threa ■weeks. , The decision was made at a meeting of the board yesterday, following urgent requests from the Wheat Committee, which pointed out that it was a matter of national emergency. A charge of twopence a ton a week will be made, and the subject will be reviewed at the end of approximately 12 months. The Board's Attitude The chairman, Mr. W. B. DarW,. said that although the board had decided last December not to have storage space taken up in this way, it was now a matter of urgency, and the board felt justified in making an exception in this case. From inquiries .made from Auckland millers last night, it was ascertained that the amount of 11,000 tons was equal to about six months' requirements for the area supplied from tho city. The step had been taken as it was thought advisable that New Zealand should bo self-sufiicient in the event of international trouble. "If hostilities.commenced, it would not bo an easy matter to obtain wheat from Australia, as one of our neighbours might pay close attention to tho Tssman," said one prominent miller. "Should supplies be cut off, Auckland would be without bread in three months, and the step is a prudent one." Position in South Auckland is the only port in New Zealand which is dependent on Australia for its wheat supplies. Similar action is not necessary in the Sontb as the Dominion crop is sufficient ta meet two-thirds of the country's re-» quirements. With the crop nois harvested, supplies in the South Island will last for about 15 months. It ii expected that the present arrange-, ment in Auckland will only v be temporary, as it is hoped that the crop next season will be large enough to dispense with importations from Aua. tralia. •

Grain and produce xnerchanfs in the city have been t.old by the Wheat Committee that it would be advisable to keep good stocks of fowl wheat in store on account of the international situation, and they hare been asked to pass this information on to poultrykeepers. .Regular shipments from Australia have arranged for the nest six months.