WHEAT PURCHASED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2298, 31 October 1914, Page 7

WHEAT PURCHASED

QUARTER OF A MILLION BUSHELS FROM CANADA.

A statement wag made by the Prime Minister in the House yesterday about the purchase of wheat to make, up the, shortage of supply in this country. "I have arranged with the Prime Minister of Canada," he said, "to have purchased \for' us in Canada 250,000' bushels of wheat. This will go a long way, together with amounts to he imported by private individuals, to make up the shortage before, the 'new crop comes in. I prefer to import wheat rather than flour, because uy importing wheat we can keep the men in the mills at work. I think honourable members will agree with me that the very hearty thanks of the people of this country are due to the Prime Minister of Canada for his assistance to us in this matter."

• Sir Joseph Ward said he would be glad to be assured that the cost of the wheat to the people of this country was not abovo what -was paid for it.

Mr. Massey said the Government expected to make a small Joss on the purchase, but if something was not done wheat and flour would bo up to famine prices. No commission and no law would keep .the price down, if thero was a serious shortage. Tho Government would do their best to keep the price of wheat and flour down to a reasonable level. In reply to a question he stated that ho had heard of one private firm of millers who were importing 1000 tons of wheat.