PRICE OF GRASS SEED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 175, 13 April 1918, Page 10

PRICE OF GRASS SEED

THE ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) asked the Prime Minister in the House of' Representatives yesterday if the effort of the Government to prevent the price of grass seed rising after the bush fires in the AVaimarino district had been effective, and if the needs of the settlers had 'been met. ■:Mr. Massey Said he understood that the steps taken by the Government had been effective in checking* the increase of the price of grass and Hover seed. He was told the settlers were very Svell satisfied with the arrangements the Government had made. The Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie) said it undoubtedly had been the intention of the merchants.to increase the ; price of grass and clover seed owing to the increased demand after fires and the possibility of a, shortage Cabinet accordingly had authorised the issue of an Order-in-Council limiting the price of seed to the price prevailing on March 11 before the tire. The Government .had been unable to prevent certain i increases, which would-have taken place in any caso. If it had refused holders of grass seed tho prices that seenfid reasonable, tho holders might have chosen not to sell at the'present time. But the action of the Ministry had resulted in seed reaching the settlers in adequate quantity at prices much' lower than would if the market had been left uncontrolled. Tho Government had been willing to sell grass seed to the settlers, but these men had preferred to deal with their own mer- , chants.