WHEAT SUPPLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 5

WHEAT SUPPLY

DECLINE IH PRODUCTION STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE. TER PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. The Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister for Agriculture) made tho following Statement to-night:—The present position in which New Zealand finds itself to-day in regard to tho production of wheat is due to many causes which do not need elaborating, at this juncture, with the result that the area sown in this important and necessary cereal has shown a . marked decline during the last two years, in the last year particularly. The acreage gown.in wheat in 191819 was 203,030, which produced 6,537,020 bushels. For this 5 - ear tins official estimate of laud sown in wheat is 143,900 acres, which is the lowest since 1870. and with an estimated yield of 29 bushels per acre, this will produce only 4, 145,6-10 bushels. It should, of course, be understood that these figures are approximate. This yield will not bo sufficient for the requirements of the Dominion, but with about 2,000,000 bushels of Australian wheat on hand it is hoped, with the small carry-over from last harvest, that our supply for tho. next twelve months will be sufficient to meet internal demands. The efforts of the Government in the past to ensure adequate supplies of wheat have met with success, and though I am a Tittle sceptical about the supply for the ensuing year. I hope mv feats will bo groundless, But what of the position for the succeeding year? I have gathered from various sources during the last few days that there is every indication tha t sufficient wheat will not be available soon to fulfil local requirements. RESORTING TO OUTSIDE MARKETS. If my information proves to be correct, it means that tho, Government will again have to resort to outside markets to supplement locally-grown wheat. This is the last step the Government wishes to take, but the fact remains that, as Minister for Agriculture, it is my duty to see that there is sufficient wheat in the Dominion for pur wonts, and there will be no other course open but’ to buy wheat on tho outside market. Furthermore, this is not a sound policy, nor 5s it in tha best interests of the Dominion to spend large sums of money outside, rind, if possible, it is my desire as well as that of the Government, to avoid this, bub it can bo rendered necessary only if sufficient wheat ia being grown in the country. The Government is fully alive to the fact that there are other branches of farming which have proved more profitable than wheat-growing. Another important factor which has within recent years contributed to the decline in production of this cereal ia the almost total absence of domestic labour in the homes of farmer*. Those with a practical knowledge of conditions on farms are only too well aware of the tedious duties and long hours the Womenfolk are called upon to perform, and during harvesting operations their duties are endless, and their hours considerably lengthened. The fact remains, however, that wheat is one of the most important commodities required in this country. The Government recognises this, and once the Dominion .proves it is self-support-ing the policy of the Government will bo to maigtain this industry on a permanently satisfactory basis. FARMERS’ DOUBTS.

1 have recently learned that 1 some doubt exists in the minds of many farmers as to the price to be paid for tho ensuing year’s crop in 1920-21. In order to make the position perfectly clear, I may say that at the conference I had recently with tho growers it was unanimously decided to accept the offer 1! made on behalf of the Government, namely, 7s 3d for Tuscan, 7s 6d for. Hunters, and 7s 9d for Pearl. These would be the minimum f.o.b. prices.