OUR WHEAT SUPPLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 8

OUR WHEAT SUPPLY.

The importance of growing sufficient wheat in the Dominion for ourselves cannot well be gainsaid, especially when the present world war circumstances -are considered. The wheat harvest this season may and probably will provide for all our requirements, thanks to the patriotism of a large number of farmers, a guaranteed price for quality grain, and a not altogether untoward season. But what of the future; It will be admitted that the delay of the Government in coming to a decision tends to hamper farm operations. Ground intended to be sown in autumn wheat should, if lea ground, have been in hand long ago—in fact, it does not affect lea ground only, as in times of scarcity of labour it" is essential to have all the benefit which may possibly be derived from the "weathering" of the ploughed furrow due to climatic changes. How can the Government expect settlers to "hang fire" indefinitely, and not avail themselves of the opportunity of stocking up with sheep with the "golden hoof"? If sheep-farming is contrasted with graingrowing, it will be found the former pursuit entails less hazard, while the "gains" are more or less assured, and the work probably just as patriotic, while, too, there is far greater exhaustion of the soil in growing a crop of wheat than, say, in turning off "fats" and wool. It is riot much use relying upon the Commonwealth for our supplies of wheat. We have already had experience in that market, and despite the fact that Australia was and is piled up with wheat, the Government were unable to buy at less than 6s per burhel f.o.b. The point has been stressed that, while Australia is piled up with last season's grain, and the new harvest is coming in, it is absurd to urge Dominion farmer to grow wheat when we are but a few days' sail or steam distant. The Commonwealth Prime Minister stated the other day that "Australia had the greatest surplus of wheat in the world. She had between 5,500,000 and 6,000,000 tons of wheat, and before she could ship 1,000,000 tons she would have 3,000,000 tons more on her hands." Quite so ; but last season's harvest belongs to Great Britain, if not a portion, of the present season's surplus, and surely it is not seemly for this fertile lands of ours in any case to depend on the Commonwealth for a cheap loaf. Again, should the war end shortly, it is quite likely that ships will be rushed out here to lift the grain now waiting shipment, and the demand from Home and neutral countries, to say nothing of starving enemy countries, may well force wheat up to a high level of values. It seems, indeed, a short-sighted policy to allow matters to drift in the circumstances. The iview that there is plenty of grain in the Commonwealth, and that we can get what we require at a price when necessary, appears both an unpatriotic and a narrow conception, of the probable situation should ueace suddenly be arranged. We are pleased to see that Canterburv farmers are moving in the matter. It is late, but better so than wait until. Government is pleased to indicate their intentions. "The farmers, at a meeting in Ashburton, passed a resolution to the effect that they were of opinion that if the Government did not fix a satisfactory price, and exempt teamsters, very little "wheat would be, grown here this year. It was decided to make representations to the Prime Minister. Seven shillings per busheh on trucks, was suggested. In this connection the remarks of the Prime Minister at Wellington the other day are of interest. It was suggested by Mr Massey 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 dumpjing from Australia. At present the New Zealand grower gets very little protection, while the Commonwealth wheat farmer is heavily protected. It is doubtful if, in war time, there is anything very much in the foregoing to cheer the wheat-grower on his way. Something definite is required in the way of price per bushel for a period. Let the Government take any small risk there may be, and assure a price. In the worst eventuality—a thumping crop—they could market the surplus. In normal circumstances the wheat-grower can possibly shift for himself well enough; but, deprived of the world's markets, it is but natural that he will put his wheat lands to more payable purposes, and a straightout price will alone stay the ever-decreas-ing acreage in wheat. The idea that an impost duty of £2 10s per ton on wheat entering the Dominion, similar to the Australian duty on our wheat, speeding up wheat-growing is problematical. Rather do we anticipate the gradual removal of all tariff restrictions on the interchange of primary products between the' Dominions and the Commonwealth.