THE WHEAT QUESTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16235, 3 April 1917, Page 2

THE WHEAT QUESTION.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald. Sir, —At the present time the Government are appealing to farmers throughout the country to grow wheat, and some of our M.P.s advocate, the Government growing it. Now here is a splendid chance for them to lead the way and try .their skill. Some time ago they purchased an estate at Washdyke, .known 1 as the Seaforth settlement, comprising about 516 acres, for the sum' of froughly £16,000, for 1 settlement purposes. The ballot, open to returned soldiers, duly took place;/ result, three sections drawn, but so far as I know up to the present no section has been occupied, or is likely to be at the rental placed upon it by " the Land Board. Now, I notice tenders are called for grazing- this land. Surely instead of grazing it the Government should grow wheat do a;s they are advising the farmers to do, even if they do grow it at a loss. wheat is wanted, and it is land capable of growing heavy crops. Of course I understand the present stubble feed should have been fed off weeks ago, and the ground, more especially this heavy land, should have been worked and got ready for the seed this month instead of grazing. I would like to know what has become of the £6OO odd- pounds which the Government got for the crop which was generously given by the late owners to the soldiers who took this land up. Is it being used to help pay the interest on money sunk in the estate?—l am etc., " '

'<.,.„ L..INWOOD. April 2nd, 1917.