WHEAT AND FLOUR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2294, 30 October 1914, Page 8

WHEAT AND FLOUR

TIIE INFLUENCE OF WAIt. 'Tho High Commissioner, in a report on the Now Zealand hemp market in tho United Kingdom (published in tho "Agricultural Journal"), describes the outlook as '"certainly not hopeful for higher Quotations, and a good many consider-that prices will come down." "Faotors which would help tho Government iu the consideration of the position are, first, that owing to the war most countries may probably try to increase their acreage of wheat. As regarde tho Con-, tiuent, 'Micro would appear to lie somo difficulty owing to the large number of men called up for service. In England, too, the present harvest has not been gathered without difficulty, owing to tho labour situation; and although in some quarters it is hoped a large acreage will bo sown, it is possible that thiV, cannot be done, owing to tlio shortage of labour. In the United States they have had a bumper harvest this year, but I cannot get any information as to prospects of increasing the area still further. "Nothing is known as to how tlio stocks of German sisal will be disposed of. This hemp is largely used by German mills for tlio manufacture of twine, and as they are now shut there is a possibility that the, trade will , go either to England or America. If to England, probably New Zealand liemp would bo used, but America would most likely use Mexican. "To sum up the position, therefore," writos tho Hi>h Commissioner, "I cannot see that the demand for biudor-twino will be largely increased in tho near future, and' in auy caso tho Mexican risal crop ha-a been a good one, and large shipments have been going to Amcrica recently, so that the American mills would appear to be in a pretty good position. 3hould twino reouirementa fall off. as they may do under the circumstances. New Zealand and lower grades of Manila, in common with the Mcxiean sisal, would probably declino still. further. At- any rate, I am Informed that although tho present is the time for making contracts for homn to cover twine 'requirements for 1915, nouody soems anxious to operate."