BREAD A SHILLING A LOAF

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 4

BREAD A SHILLING A LOAF

PREDICTION FOR NEXT YEAR. SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF WHEAT. (Feom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 25. According to an opinion expressed at the meeting oi the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day, there is a prospect of people paying a shilling for a loaf of bread next year. The reason given for this pessimistic view was the shortage of wheat and the poor yield that is expected from the crops this season. The president (Mr C. H. Ensor) invited members to express their opinions on the prospect of the coming season. At present most districts were having a poor time. Feed was pretty short, and crops were just about holding their own. Mr F. G. Horrell -said the fanners would not have sufficient oats for their own horse feed unless something extraordinary happened. There would be a serious shortage of oats. With rain wheat might approach half of last year’s yield. Last year from Kaiapoi to Oxford the season had been very good; this year the amount of grain put in was about the same, but he was sure the yield would be only about one-half. Mr J. W. Patchett said that in the Prebbleton and Templeton districts wheat was looking fairly well, and if rain came there was a chance of a great recovery. Considering the season the oat crops in those districts were looking well, but rain would double the yield. Mr H. G. Livingstone said that he had been over the Burnham plains, and in the Ellesmere district there was very little oat crop, and what there was was only about a foot high and in ear. It would not be worth cutting. Wheat was short, but was looking well. Mr A. J. Bell said that he had heard of thrashing-mill owners cancelling engagements for hands in the Waikari district. There would be only half an average yield under the hills. About Sheffield, as the chairman had said, the crops were better. Templeton had fine-looking crops, but they seemed to be going no further. Generally the outlook was very bad. Subsequently Mr Horrell referred to statements in circulation to the effect that some farmers are holding stacks of wheat in anticipation of higher prices, and said that the general run of farmer was only asking for a reasonable thing in view of the serious shortage that the dominion was faced with. Next year he was of opinion that _ the executive should ask the Prime Minister to endeavour to secure supplies and so prevent wheat rising to an abnormal price. He believed that it was absolutely correct that men were asking as high as 7s per bushel. As farmers they should say that they did not agree with that sort of thing. The price at present ruling—ss per bushel —was a fair one for last season’s wheat, and the man who asked for more was greedy There was only one way to keep prices down, and that was to have a plentiful supply. They should impress on the Prime Minister the nece?°itv for not relaxing his energies in the matter of supplies. Unless they looked at the matter seriously they would have bread at a shilling a loaf. The President (Mr Ensor) : I think so, too. Mr Horrell said that in the past people had ridiculed what the agriculturists said as to the difficulties in connection with wheat raising, but now they had the spectacle of a country that ought to be exporting wheat importing it. If the nations at present at war were unable to sow wheat the outlook would be very serious. He himself was opposed to big prices. They did not do anyone any good. He moved : “ That the Prime Minister be urged to endeavour to secure ample supplies of wheat for next season, as there will be a big shortage.” Mr Patchett seconded the motion, and said he did not think it was necessary to limit the price to ss. Mr Horrell said he did not say that it was to be limited to that price, but that 'ss was a very good price for last season’s wheat. Mr Livingstone supported the motion. He wondered if it would ever sink into the minds of the North Island people that there should be reasonable protection for the wheat industry. The northerners had jeered and laugher at the latest dominion conference, when the southerners said that New Zealand would be in a peculiar position in the ©vent of war breaking out. War had out, and they were in that peculiar position. He would await with much pleasure meeting the Aucklanders at next conference. The motion was agreed to.