GROWING OF WHEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25202, 15 May 1945, Page 6

GROWING OF WHEAT

USE AS STOCK FOOD, POSSIBILITY FOR PROVINCE The possibility of growing wheat, barley, peas and maize in the Auckland Province for stock food was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production yesterday. Favourable views on the growing of wheat were received from the Wheat and Flour Controller, Mr It. McPherson, and a report on the subject was presented from a committee of the council by Mr A. D. Mercer, fields instructor of the Department of Agriculture. "I have always believed that considerable areas of wheat could and should be grown in the Auckland Province, particularly in view of the very large poultry population," said Mr McPherson in a letter. The two largest mills in the Dominion, which were* in Auckland, used '2,000,000 bushels of wheat a year normally, while poultry ate about 1.000,000 bushels. Auckland should be prepared to grow at least all the wheat required for its own poultry. If 250,000 acres of wheat were grown in the North Island the price paid to growers in 1946 would be 7s Cd a bushel, said Mr McPherson. This was more than the poultry-keepers would pay for their wheat, but arrangements would be made for the Wheat Committee to buy the wheat from the growers and resell it to merchants for poultry feed at a lower figure. The committee's report stated that from 1890 to 1910, parts of East Tamaki, Papatoetoe and Mangere were wheat-growing areas and some was still being grown. While the cash return to farmers might not be as high as the return from dairying it was inevitable that in a mixed farming economy some branches should pay better than others, but it was essential to good husbandry and properly balanced agriculture. The crops needed were wheat, barley, peas and maize and the growing of them would help the renewal of old pastures. The climate was considered to be reasonably favourable to the growing of such crops. The committee's report and portions of the controller's letter will be circulated among farmers in the province.

AIR TRAINING CORPS TO CONTINUE AFTER WAR (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 13 The Air Training Corps will continue after the war as the main source of supply of recruits for the R.A.F., states Air Chief-Marshal Sir Charles Portal, in a message to A.T.C. cadets. POST-WAR ARMY (Reed. 0.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. May 13 The War Department has officially denied recently published statements that the United States plans a peace time standing army of 500,000 men. It is stated tliat the size of the regular Army to be recommended after the war depends on the condition of the world pi us Commitments and military policy adopted by Congress.