WHEAT-GROWING

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 12

WHEAT-GROWING

NEXT SEASON'S CROP. PROBABLE DECREASE IN AREA SOWN. The question of the possibility of a decrease in the area in Canterbury to be sown in wheat for the 1918-19 season is one that, aooording to some authorities, ought to have j received attention three or four months ago, i and is now demanding urgent attention from j the Government. As recently as tho 23rd \ the Wheat Controller (Mr W. G. M'Donald) j stated that the Government had not yet j come to any decision regarding next season's crop. In some quarters it is considered too j late now to make adequate arrangements, j j It is alleged, for instance, that owing to • ' the failure of the Government to make a definite announcement on the subject in October or November last, wheat growers have become indifferent in the matter, and the ! fact that bad seasons have been experienced i recently has not tended to hearten them. i '' From the" opinions expressed to me by ! wheat-growers, it appears that, unless the i Government takes some urgent steps, only ! about two-thirds of the area sown in wheat in Canterbury last season will be sown for next season," was tho considered opinion of Mr H. S. Bourn, when asked regarding the present position of affairs by a representative of The Press. I The explanation is, of course, the superior inducements to raise sheep. 'ln© present season has been such a fine one j for the growth of fodder that the wheat- j raiser cannot help envying his neighbour, j tho grazier, when he sees him driving off ; his fat lambs and sheep to the saleyards. When he compares the risks he runs as a> . wheat-grower with those run by the grazier, when he thinks over the increases he has had to meet —increases in the cost of living, increases in connection with almost everything necessary for the production of wheat —labour, agricultural implements, and , railway freights—the wheat-grower is disposed to think that the grower of sheep . and wool is on the much better wicket. j Mr Bourn strongly emphasised the fact that the Government should have made known its intentions in November. "It is I absolutely necessary," he said, "for sue ' cessful wheat-growing in a great many districts -in Canterbury to commence to prepare the. ground in November; by March or April time has been lost, and cannot bo regained in respect of the skim ploughing that should have been done towards the end of the year. In November the wheatgrowers ought to have known the price or prices for the 1918-1919 crop. I consider that it is highly necessary, if the Government is really anxious to encourage wheatgrowing, that prices should be fixed several years ahead—at least three years ahead, but preferably four. Tho necessity for this is obvious: the wheat-grower has to plan a rotation of crops, and to do so he must know where he is. If the Government does not take some urgent stops to get things going it will be face to face with a considerable shortage of wheat next year for the dominion's requirements." Mr Bourn next referred to the importation of wheat. "While it might be con- | sidered to be cheaper to import wheat than to grow it in the dominion," he said, "it

I seems absurd to throw out an industry for which this country is so peculiarly adapted. There are also the risks of sea transport and of climatic conditions in Australia. It must be borne in mind, too, that the commonwealth wheat-grower is in much the same position as the New Zealand wheatgrower, and is seriously considering the advisableness of going out of wheat-grow-ing; in fact, there will be considerably le'ss wheat grown in Australia this year than during the past two. years. With all the piles of wheat standing at every pert and every railway station in the wheat-growing districts in Australia last year, the New Zealand Government could not purchase Australian wheat for less than 6s per bushel f.o.b. Australia." Mr Bourn touched briefly on the economic side of the question—the unsound policy of spending money outside the dominion for a product like wheat that can be raised in the dominion. On the other hand, he said, it might be strongly argued that it was false economy and false patriotism to grow wheat in New Zealand when a more profitable return could bo obtained from raising sheep and wool. - , "Could the price of wheat be fixed at a figure which, while inducing the farmer to grow it instead of raising sheep and jambs, would not make flour and bread too high in price for the consumer?" Mr Bourn was asked. He thought that that was possible. Before the price of the loaf advanced Ad wheat would need to increase in price 9d per bushel, arid while the Ad was distributed over the whole of. the population the 9d was confined to the few benefactors—he thought he might so describe them—who grew wheat. When the cost of wheat was analysed it would be found that it was dependent largely, not so much on the cost of sowing; it and reaping it, but in the cost of reconditioning the land, after a wheat crop had been taken oft it to bring it again into an earning state. If the price were fixed at 6s 6d per bushel it might, he thought, prove sufficient inducement to grow wheat as against 6heep and lambs; and such a price would, practically, only involve an increase of id per loaf of bread. Mr Bourn added that he had heard adverse criticisms in respect of the prices fixed last year, it being urged that there should be different prices for different varieties. He dissented from those criticisms, and said that he considered that the essential thing was to get the required quantity of wheat, and by using a solid straw a higher yield was generally got. The quality of the flour might be lowered a little, but did that matter much in war time? The main object was to get the necessary quantity of wheat, and consequently the varieties that gave the highest yield should be grown. Mr Bourn concluded by again emphasising the necessity for immediate action by/-the Government in respect to the wheat supply for next season. , - ■',]'_ Confirmation of the attitude of Canterbury wheat-growers respecting the 1918-1919 crop was obtained in other quarters. The matter, it is understood, has not escaped the attention of the Canterbury Commissioner on

the National Efficiency Board, but Mr Frostick, when seen on the subject, was unable to give "any information for publication. • From what is heard from those interested in the matter, it is one calling for immediate action if a serious shortage of wheat is to bp averted next year. FARMERS ASK FOR SEVEN SHILLINGS. ASIIBURTON, March 2. A representative meeting of farmers today discussed wheat-growing. They were unanimously of opinion that if the Government did not fix a. satisfactory price, and exempt teamsters, very little wheat would bo grown hero this year. It was decided to make representations to the Prime Minister. It was suggested that the price for wheat should be 7s per bushel, on trucks. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (From Ode Own Correspondent j WELLINGTON, March 2. A statement was made by the Prime Minister to-day on the policy which, in his opinion, must be followed if wheat-growing is to bo encouraged in New Zealand. " Something more definite will have to be done for the wheat growers than has been done up to this if sufficient wheat is to bo produced for the requirements of the population," said Mr Massey. "One of the candidates in the by-election talked of the Government having put millions of pounds into the pockets of the 'wheat capitalists.' That sort of talk is simply unadulterated nonsense, whioh may go down with those who do not know • any better. The wheat growers have had a succession of bad seasons—quite sufficient to discourage them —and even this season, though it has been an improvement on the previous three, the are very patchy. The cost of Eroduotion ; has gone up enormously, labour, implements, machinery, string for binding purposes, sacks, and every other article required in the industry are very much dearer than before the war, consequently if wheat-growing is to go on the wheat grower must get more encouragement. At the back of his- mind all the time is the fear of dumping from Aijstralia, and that is especially the case just now when it is well known that there are millions of tons of wheat in Australia, for which shipping cannot be found. And yet on account of its periodical droughts, Australia crnnot be depended upon for a regular supply. I am convinced that Parliament must face this question, and by a readjustment of the Customs tariff place the New Zealand producer in as good a position as are his competitors in Australia. Britain neglected food production, and in consequence its difficulties during the war have been greatly increased. Whatever has to be done, New Zealand should see to it that no importation of wheat or flour will be necessary in the future." Mr Massey added: —"An important matter of this kind cannot be settled except at a full meeting of Cabinet, and just receniiy it has not been possible to get such a meeting, because Ministers have been ecattered all over New Zealand. I hope, however, tp get it before Cabinet during the coming "week, and I expect that then a satisfactory arrangement will be made. My suggestion is not that the alteration to the Customs duty on wheat should take the place of the Government guarantee or purchase for next season, but that it should be in addition to it. The guarantee or purchase has effect only for the war period, .but the other would last after the war and give the producers security they require." CANTERBURY MARKETS. GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. (Christchurch Press, March 2.) Business still remains ..very 'quiet in the wheat market, and brokers report that very little wheat and oats are offering. A fairly brisk demand still obtains for oats, particularly from the North Island; but it is very difficult to make arrangements for any space on ships—this fact holding up business considerably. A fair, amount of ryegrass is offering, and prices range, as before, from 3s 'to 4s 6d per bushel, according to quality. The price of oatmeal has risen to £23 a ton 251 b bags, and £26 packed in 71b bags. Milling wheat according to Government price. South Island: January-February, and March 5s 10d, April 5s 10|d, May 5s lid. June 5s July 6s, August 6s Oid, f.o.b. North Island, 4d additional. Oats.—Algerians, Duns, and Danish 3s 3d to 3s 6d, Gartons 3s 6d 'to 3s Bd. Barley.—ss 6d .to 5s 9d, extra prime to 6s, medium 5s to 5s sd. Flour.—£ls per ton; 1001 b bags, £ls 10s; 501 b bags, £ls 15s; 251 b bags, £l6. Bran. —£3 10s per ton. Pollard.—£6 15s per ton. . Oatmeal—2slb bags £23 per ton, 71b bags £26 per ton. Oatsheaf Chaff.—New chaff £3 15s to £4 53, for immediate delivery, and £3 10a for forward delivery. Cocksfoot. —lOjd to Is per lb. Ryegrass.—23lb to 261 b seed 3s 6d to 4s, extra prime heavy seed to 4s 6d, lighter seed 2s 6d to 3s. Onions. —Main crop £3 15s. Potatoes.—Early varieties £3 5s for present or forward delivery. —Dairy Produce.— The prices of dairy butter have hardened Id, and c-ggs, prime fresh, are now worth Is 8d a dozen. Butter: Factory Is 6d net, farmers' separator' Is 2d, dairy Is. Cheese.—Factory lOd, dairy 9d, loaf 9^d. Bacon. —Sides Is 2d, rolls Is 3d, hams Is 3d. Honey.—Extracted 6d per lb. Eggs, Is 8d per dozen. TIMARU MARKETS. With a slowness which is exasperating (reports the Timaru correspondent of tho Christchurch Press) the new season's wheat i? coming on 'to the market. In view of the bareness of supplies prior to harvest celerity in the delivery of the new crop wa3 specially desired this year; but the weather has prevented auick dealing with the grain. Very little has come 'to hand thi.i week, and the bulk of that received has only been of medium quality; but it has mostly been taking for milling. Generally speaking, tho quality is not by any means good, and some samples shown since 'the rain are very badly sprouted, and oannot be used for other than fowl feed. The yields nro very disappointing. A lot of grain has hx-en put in stack since the rain, as it was impossible to thrash it from the stook, and it will have 'to bo left in stack for some time until it get into condition, and millers arc only buying in small Quantities, and will continue to do so until the Board of Trade has fixed the price of flour.

Until this is done they will not know whether it will pay them to continue running their mills. Fowl wheat is very scarce. Purchases of this description have been made during the week at from 5s 3d to 5s Bd, thero being a great difference between many of the samples. Contracts have been entered into by some North Island merchants for tho purchase of fowl wheat from Australia. Oats have soared to prices beyond all expectations. This is due to the fact that the crops are, comparatively speaking, a failure, and to tho damage done to them by the rain. As high as 4s per bushel has been offered, and refused, this week for both Duns and Gartons, which were wanted for seed purposes. Algerians are quoted at 3s 6d 'to 3s 3d. There is a very strong demand from the North Island. The rise appears to be based on the present shortness of supplies; but it is predicted that when the Southland oats come on the market the present high prices will ease back a little. Oatsheaf chaff is wanted for prompt shipment to the North Island, and £4 5s to £4 10s i? being offered, at country stations, for go'od_ quality, sacks found by buyers. There is very little demand at present for potatoes, reports from the North Island indicating .that thev have sufficient for requirements thero in the meantime. Digging has not started here yet, and until it is started it will be impossible to tell the extent of the damage done by the blight. Purchases have been made at £4 10s per ton, f.0.b., sacks in, for April, May, and June delivery. _ Ryegrass is not offering in large quantities. It is worth from 3s to 4s per bushel, while cocksfoot is quoted at Is to Is 2d per lb. ENCOURCEMENT OF WHEATCROWING. THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. INCREASE OF IMPORT DUTY. (Fiiom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 1. In the course of his speech at the Town Hall this week, Mr Massey indicated what would be the new policy of the Government for the encouragement of wheatgrowing in this country. The growers have been asking for an increase of the price of wheat next year to 6s a bushel, fha proposal suggested by Mr Maesey was that instead of fixing a price .the import duty on wheat might be. raised to the level of the commonwealth tax. Mr Massey argues that if this were done the New Zealand grower could be certain of a payable price without the risk that has always threatened him hitherto of dumping from Australia. At present the New Zealand grower gets very little protection, wkile the commonwealth wheat farmer is heavily protected. The Australian duty U £2 10's per ton. * -

ports—was 1,750,977 bales, compared with 1,658,245 bales in the same period of last year. No fault can be found with the weight of wool to hand. If we go back to 1915, which the reader will recall' as an exceptional year, due to all exports being shut off to neutral countries, and when the Australian markets were practically closed, we retained in that year 2,356,349 bales, while for the 11 months- of 1914 the total was 1,051,277 bales, and in 1913 1,431,723 bales. It will > therefore be seen that the arrivals for the first 11 months of this year compare very favourably with those of previous years. Of course, there is as an offset to be reckoned in the tremendous consumption that is proceeding, for no doubt bigger weights of raw wool have gone into consumption during the past 11 months than during any previous year in the history of the textile trade of this country. The _ following is a very significant table, and .gives in a nutshell the statistical position. In each case a colonial bale is reckoned at 3301 b:

BRITAIN'S TEXTILE TRADE. As already indicated, the Board of Trade Returns are the only source of information regarding Great Britain's wool textile industry, and we must turn to that source for information. Although we are living in war times, and shipping is scarce, we have in no sense lost our export trade in wool and textiles. In fact, although the German submarines are trying to destroy our overseas trade, the figures we are able~ to give show conclusively that they have not yet succeeded, and it is doubtful if they ever will. The most astounding features to bo observed in the figures below are the large imports of wool and also the exports of woollen and worsted fabrics. If all the pieces which are now held in stock by manufacturers and export houses had been allowed to go to neutral countries, the figures would have been many millions more; but wheri neutral countries were re-exporting British-made textiles to Germany it was high time -Ibey were stopped. The following are the principal items of the Board of Trade Returns, which make very significant reading today :

Jan.-Nbv.— 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 Importe. Bates. 1,829,455 1,783,273 2,691,788 1,938,292 2,226,458 Be-exporte. Bales. 78,478 130,028 334,959 887,015 794,735 Retained Bales. 1,750,977 1,658,245 2,356,849 1,051,277 1,431,723