THE SUPPLY OF BARLEY IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 7

THE SUPPLY OF BARLEY IN BRITAIN

CLAIMS OF MALTSTERS AND MILLERS. . The statements to which currency is being given that, as regards '.I'e supply of barley, the Government are favouring the brewers at tho expense'of tho millers is one for which there is no real foundation (states the London "Times"). The argument seems to >be that, as maltsters may paj; more for barley than millers, the former are obtaining more than thoir share of giain. But the facts are as follow: —

• Under the Grain (Prices) Order, 1917, tho maximum price a miller may pay to tho grower for home-grown barley of tho 1917 crop is G2s. 9d. per quarter nf 4481b. This'price was fixed in tiue parity with tho price of the wheat and nat. 'It was not tho concern ol tho Food Controller to enable the maltsters aud brewers to get their harley at this price, and he' allowed these trades to pay several shillings per quarter mere monoy for selected samples if they wished to do so.

At tho same time, the total fi«o.iitity of barley that maltsters ai)3 h.reivers can uso is strictly limited and fixed, as all malting is now conducted under licenco. It is immaterial from Iho food position whether maltsters and trcwers huy their barley early in tho Mason or late, but as malting is a seasonal trade, those engaged in it am naturally anxious to secure their barley as early as possible. Tho quantity of beer permitted to he brewed having been fixed at an amount which, in the opinion of the War Cabinet, was necessary in tho national interest, tho time of v;&r at which tho hccossary barby is bought, bv the maltster mil brewer dues not aifect tho food position; .md when the total fixed requirements; of maltsters and browors are satisfied the miller will bo tho only buyer on the market. Under normal conditions thoro would have beer sufficient barley coming to market to enablo maltsters and brewere to select carefully and ps.y holier prices for choice snmplos, and millers would have been able to buy pood, sound barley at tho maximum price they are permitted to pay. however, to a late season and shod age of h.bour, farmers are thrashing their corn very s'lowlv, with the resulr, that thero has been barely suflioieir barley on the market to 'ninef the requirements of maltsters and browe's from week (o week. '