WHEAT PRODUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25564, 17 June 1944, Page 6

WHEAT PRODUCTION

. DOMINION’S REQUIREMENTS NEED FOR PRICE INCREASE URGED Problems relating to the supply of wheat for New Zealand’s requirements were discussed at a meeting yesterday of the Otago Primary Production Council, which was addressed by Mr H. Worrall, liaison officer to the Wheat Committee. A resolution was carried that efforts should be made to secure an increase in the price of wheat to 7s 3d a bushel. The meeting was attended by the chairman (Mr A. C. Leary), Messrs A. C. Cameron, J. B. Waters, T. Douglas, J. W. Woodcock, J. G. Richards, S. P. Cameron, R D. Stewart, and S. C. Bingham. Mr Worrall said it was expected that from 7,000.000 to 7,250,000 bushels of wheat would be harvested this year. New Zealand's requirements were approximately 11,500,000 bushels a year, and arrangements had been made for importations so that the full quantity required this year would be available. Owing to the weather and other conditions, the areas sown in wheat might not be so large this season as had been the case last season, and it might be necessary, therefore, to import a larger quantity of wheat in 1945. This would have to be brought from Australia. The only alternative, he added, would be rationing, but it was hoped that farmers would sow as large* an area of wheat as possible this year. Surpluses Disappear The surpluses of wheat which were held by several countries 18 months ago had largely disappeared, Mr Worrall continued. The problems facing the wheatgrower in New Zealand this year had been due to climatic conditions, and difficulties regarding deliveries of fertiliser and of making repairs to machinery. The shortage of labour had not been so acute as it had been in some previous years, he said, and the position would probably be even more satisfactory in the future. The supply of fertiliser should occasion less difficulty in the future. Mr S. P. Cameron said that Canterbury merchants who had discussed the question with him were satisfied that there would be heavier sowings this year if a better price were paid to the wheat grower. The chairman said that he knew of farmers who, as a war effort, had been growing wheat at a loss on marginal land.

Mr Worrall said that an adjustment in price was under consideration. “ The grain merchants are of opinion that the only remedy for the position is to increase the price," said Mr Waters. “If we could offer the farmer another Is a bushel we would get all the wheat we require.” He did not know what effect an increase in the price of bread by Id a loaf would have on the position. Mr T. Douglas said that an Increase of Id a loaf would not tax the consumer to any extent. ~ „ x . .. Mr A. C. Cameron said that at the South Island conference of the Farmers’ Union it had been agreed to make representations to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr B. Roberts, that the price paid to the farmer for his wheat should be increased to 7s 3d a bushel. Mr Cameron also spoke of the position regarding land which had been taken over by the Government. Several very good properties in North Otago had been taken over by the Government, and, although they had previously produced wheat, not an acre of wheat was grown on them to-day. A similar position existed in South Otago. Had the Wheat Committee done anything in the matter? Mr Worrall said that the committee was investigating the position. Priority of Production

For a variety of reasons, the farmers had slackened in their efforts in the growing of wheat, Mr Cameron continued, and it seemed to him that production would be increased if a series of meetings were held in the wheatgrowing districts. Another necessity was that some indication should be given to farmers of the order of importance in production. He suggested that the order of priority should be butter and cheese first, beef next, mutton and lamb, and then wheat. There should be an increase in supplies for the people of Britain before the people of the Dominion took a little extra for themselves. Messrs Waters and Worrall agreed that a programme of priority of production was essential. On the motion. of Mr A. C. Cameron, it was decided that the council should arrange six district meetings in Otago to which representatives of the Wheat Committee would be invited Increased Pricp Sought Mr S. P. Cameron moved that, with a view to increasing the acreage of wheat, endeavours should be made to have the price increased to 7s 3d a bushel and the allocation of fertiliser in Otago increased to 2cwt. The motion was carried, and it was decided to ask the Wheat Committee to forward the resolution to the Minister of Agriculture. The chairman assured Mr Worrall that the council and its district committees would do everything possible to co-oper-ate with the Wheat Committee in its efforts to increase production.