WHEAT & FLOUR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2293, 29 October 1914, Page 7

WHEAT & FLOUR

■ STATEMENT OF THE .POSITION. In the House of Representatives yesterday aftariioon, Mr T. M. , Wilford read the foljdwing telegram, which he efcated ho had just received from a man at Wavorley:—"Flour quoted AVanganui £15 per ton, and cannot get it at that. Will bo without bread hero after tomorrow. Something should be done at once." The Prime Minister etated that there was sufficient wheat and flour in tho Dominion to last for some considerable time, to come, and he did not think there would he any serious difficulty. Ho had been notified by one milling firm that' it was importing one thousand tens of wheat from America, and at the present moment the Government was negotiating with India and Canada for sufficient wheat to make up the shortage. He could not say more than that. It was possible that thoro might at the present time be a- shortage in one centre, but there wae no shortage taking the country ae a whole. Tho Government would take care —though a little more would havo to be paid for wheat and flour before long—that thovo would bo a sufficient supply for tho population. Mr. ISuxton: It is not-'a question of a shortage. The holders won't sell. Tho Prime Minister: I have not como across a single firm that has refused to sell, but if necessary the provisions of tho law will be" enforced. Twenty-one milling firms had notified him that 'they wore short of wheat, and ho was supplying -them with tho wheat the Government had 'bought from Australia. The balance of this purchase from Australia had been sent for the Government there having agreed to the export of it. This balance would be distributed in the same way. ; ■ Mr. 5511: On what conditions hae it been supplied to tho milling firms? Mr. Massey: At tbo nncc fixed by the commiesion.