AUSTRALIAN FLOUR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2256, 16 September 1914, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN FLOUR

. o _ , REASON OF EXPORT PROHIBITION. A bright light was shed upon the reason for the Commonwealth Government prohibiting the export of flour from Australia by a letter received from a Melbourne firm by a local flour merchant yosterday. This letter says:— "Our Government have now prohibited tho oxport of wheat and flour, except to the United Kingdom, which we think will include New Zealand and other British possessions, but all the shipments for the East are now blocked and really the whole position is becoming very serious as the weather conditions are exceedingly bad. We are having hot, dry winds, and no rain at all, and goodness knows what will happen to our crops.. We may have to import wheat ourselves if this goes on much longer." Since this letter was written (September 8) rain has fallen all over tho wheat States, with a very beneficial effect. The Manuka, which arrived from Sydney yesterday, .brought 46b 6acks of Australian flour. .. • Endeavours are. being made in Australia to induce tho Commonwealth Government to agree to a partial removal of the prohibition of the export of flour. Messrs. Robert Hall and Co. yesterday afternoon received a cable message from Messrs. M'Corquadale Bros., of Sydney, in this connection, stating that they were endeavouring to get a special permit to complete existing contracts for the export of flour. Mr. Hall states that if this is done it may relievo, tho situation sufficiently to prevent any further rise in the price of flour locally.