The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1907. THE STAFF OF LIFE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2238, 15 November 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1907. THE STAFF OF LIFE.

There is every indication that the present high price of flour and of bread is likely to continue for some considerable time, and that all tho legislation that can be devised ,by our lawmakers in Wellington in regard to the duties is not likely to confer any substantial benefit to the New Zealand consumer. The position can be briefly stated thus: Our farmers find mutton and lambproducing more profitable and congenial than grain-growing, and the supply outside the Dominion is not sufficient for the world’s demands. There was a time when a New Zealand was well pleased if he could get from 2s 6d per bushel to 3s for his wheat, but now, although there is a practical certainty that he could command double that amount for this season’s harvest, he is by no means keen to till the soil for the jiopular cereal. As a matter of ■fact, it is computed that the area sown in wheat in the Dominion is even less than it was last season, so that the next crop will quite possibly be insufficient for our own requirements.

Under the circumstances we may ho again placed in a position of dependence upon Australia, which in its turn has its wheat value regulated by London and European demands. Thus it is of vital interest to local consumers to note tho present position and . the future pinspects - of the world’s markets. In this connection, “Beerbohm’s” latest reports, which have a worldwide reputation for accuracy, clearly reveal .the increasing acuteness of the wheat position, which promises to become still more acute as the season progresses. The Russian crop, which has been officially returned at barely 59 million quarters, as against over 82 millions in 190-1 and over 79 millions in 1905, is only about equal to the average quantity retained or consumed at home during the past five years. This means that only exceedingly high prices will attract any wheat from Russia for Europe this year. As a matter of fact, at' the beginning of September many of tho best Russian firms, finding it impossible to fulfil their shipping contracts owing to the non-arrival of the grain ■from, the interior, were paying large sums to cancel them —and this despite the fact that buyers were offering 40s and upwards per quarter. •Nor are the advices from America any more reassuring. “Beerbokm” estimates .the American crop at 77 million quarters, as against 93 million last year, and 8/ million quarters” the year before. The croxi for the last six years averages 84j- million quarters, and permitted an average export of 37J million quarters. The obvious conclusion, therefore, is that this year’s export cannot total more than 21 million quarters. This is absolutely inadequate for the requirements of European countries, and “Beerbohm” prophesies that as soon as this is realised there will be some exciting times in the wheat pits of New York and Chicago.

With these facts borne ill mind it becomes quite apparent that the present high price of bread is not at ail likely to bo materially reduced for some time to come. From the consumer’s point of view the position is extremely unsatisfactory, and with the cost of living high ill almost all other directions the prospects for families living on a restricted revenue is by no means enviable. One tiling which appears to stand out clearly is the folly of ' protecting wheat-growing in the Dominion by a heavy duty, .when even the prospective price of 5s to 5s Gd per bushel will not induce the New Zealand farmers to grow sufficient wheat for our own needs.

Tho next quarterly meeting of the Licensing Committco will bo held on Docambor 6th.

Pollard’s Oners Company arrive from South by tho Zealandia tomorrow morning.

Owing to tlie usual Thursday halfholiday not being observed yesterday tliore was not a large attendance at the howling green, hut ‘those players who did attend found tho grounds in excellent ordor, and somo interesting and friendly games were played. Tho proposal to borrow £IOOO for drainage work at -Patutalii, which was voted upon on Wodnosay, was carried by 71 votes to 21. Tho polling at tho Patutalii booth was as follows: Ayes 57, liSos 16.

A roturn prepared for tho Government shows that in tho Cook County there are 1551 ratepayers in the County, of whom 994 have singlo votes, 371 have two votes, and 186 have three votes.

A diversion was caused at the wharf last evening by a party of •Maoris, who wero farewelling some of their friends on tho Tuatea. Exclamations of the most profound grief were hoard on all sides, and the gesticulations and lamentations of the Natives were watched by a large number of interested spectators.

At the stock sale at Matawhero yesterday a ' seller, whoso cow liad been bid for up to 22s 6d, was asked by tho auctioneer if ho would accept this figure. Evidently ho did not think the boast would realise that exalted sum, and had only heard the “two-and-six,” for he evoked great hiliffljiy by loudly exclaiming, “No; I want £1 for her.”

Tho following programme will bo rendered in tho Trafalgar Rotunda by the City Band 'at 8 o’clock tonight:—Quick March, “The Vanquisher” ; two-step, “Alabama Dream” ; valso, “Gipsy Revols” ; selection “Sydney by Night 7 ’ ; quick march, “The Elephant”; waltz, “Rose Queen’.’; “God Savo the King.” A collection will be taken up .iu aid of tho band funds.

A Post and Telephone bureau office has been opened at To Puia Springs, Mr. A. M. Beer, manager of tho Tourist Department’s accommodation house,' being in charge. Mails will close at Gisborne and To Puia Springs on Mondays and Thursdays, at 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. respectively. A Post Office has also been established at Jangapapa, with Mr. Geo, AVliito as posmaster. A daily service between Gisborne and Mangapapa has been arranged, and nnails will close at the offices named at 11.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively. ' , At yesterday’s inquest Dr. Morrison asked the Acting-Coroner to make representations in the proper quarter towards getting an increase in the feo for coronial post-mortems. The fee was altogether inadequate in any case, and he would not underake an examination similar to that morning’s •for a fee of ten guineas. The Sergeant stated that at least two doctors in the town had refused to make tho examination. The Acting-Coro-ner said he had viewed tho body, and the doctor had his full sympathy. He would do what he could in the direction indicated by Dr. Morrison.

Tho first general meeting of the Gisborne Drivers’ Union was held last evening at Mr. Darton’s office. There was a good attendance, and judging from the enthusiasm displayed the Union promises to be a very successful one. Rules were adopted for the government of tho Union, and were ordered to he printed at once so that registration may take place forthwith. As soon as registration is infected it is intended to apply to (lie Arbitration Court for an award for this district. The election of officers resulted: president, Mr. R. Hargreaves ; vice-president, Mr. Tlios. Andrews; secretary, Mr. James Hird ; treasurer, Mr. J. H. Smith: committee, Messrs L. Dargie, J. Hogan, T. Goode, G. Laurent, and T. Cahill; auditors, Messrs A. McFarquliar and A. Dunstan; trustees, Messrs G. E. Darton and H. Goodin. . A vote of thanks to Mr. Darton for aswsuincr in the initiatory work concluded the meeting.