“GROW MORE WHEAT”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9615, 22 March 1917, Page 6

“GROW MORE WHEAT”

APPEAL TO FARMERS IN CROPPING DISTRICTS. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 21. With regard to the commandeering of the wheat crop, the Hon'. IV. D. S. MacDonald told a reporter to-day there was no suggestion that this would be done, nor would there bo any necessity for it if farmers offered their wheat freely and millers and merchants purchased it. The question of commandeering would only arise if it was found that a person was holding wheat. In that case there wero certain provisions in the War Regulations which would be brought into use, and which would very effectively deal with such a situation.

Mr MacDonald said ho intended to send the following letter to all farmers in wheat-growing districts as an appeal to their patriotism: “Dear sir, —No doubt you have Oh. served from particulars published in the newspapers that the area in wheat sown last season was 218,877 acres. This is one-third less than the area sown in the preceding year, viz., 329,207 acres. As at least 230,000 acres should be sown to provide sufficient wheat for New Zealand’s food and seed purposes, 1 appeal on behalf of the Government of the Dominion to the farming community to sow down for next - season an additional 30,000 to 35,000 acres in wheat, of which your proportion would be, if possible. acres. “As already intimated to the secretary of the North Canterbury branch of Die Now Zealand Farmers’ Union, tho Government is prepared to guarantee for the 1917-18 harvest a minimum price pbr bushel of 5s sd, .with a maximum of 5s lOd if circumstances warrant it, or to purchase the same at these rates. Will you kindly lot mo know by return mail what area you are prepared to sow. •! enclose envelope and form for the purpose. “I would strongly urge upon farmers the desirableness of looking upon the wheat question from a broad national point of view. To those who have lands suitable for wheat-growing I would appeal to assist the Empire in its gigantic struggle by ‘doing their little bit’ in helping to grow sufficient wheat to meet our own requirements. Wo shall'then not be in the position of requiring space to he provided to bring to our shores food that can ha grown in our own fair land, thereby enabling shipping to bo utilised in other urgently essential directions.”