DROUGHT IN THE NORTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 15

DROUGHT IN THE NORTH.

. ANXIOUS TIME FOR FARMERS. IFbom Oub Own Correspondent.; PALMERSTON NORTH, May 12 The long spell oi dry weather is causing considerable anxiety, and in some parts water is so scarce that farmers have 1p carry supplies from a distance. In discussing the matter yesterday the. Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands) admitted that the situation was most serious. The question of providing feed for stock during the winter was one which would have to be faced, and was already causing the Government a good deal of thought. He said he had received information from Hawke's Bay to the effect that the season was the worst ever experienced there, and he was afraid that practically the bulk of the North Island and a good deal of tho South Island were suffering severely from drought. With reference to fat stock, Mr Guthrie said he had done his best to get sufficient shipping to clear the cold stores and frozen meat works. Thirteen insulated vessels would be provided during the present month, which should ease the position considerably. He admitted, however, that a lot of stock which had been got ready for shipment would be bound to go back in condition and that a good deal of it would be unfit for export by the time the works were ready to take it, while many head which had to be really prime would pass as only second quality now. .

CONTROL OF WHEAT. OPERATIONS REVIEWED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. The Government Wheat Controller has issued a return of tho wheat handled this season to May 7. The threshing returns account for 2,801,968 bushels. Contracts to purchase good milting wheat have been made in respect of 2,668,787 bushels and for fowl wheat 198,483 bushels. The amount paid to farmers through the Government' brokers is £493,087 2s 9d, representing 1,461,197 bushels.