The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1916. ROBBEEY OF THE PUBLIC.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 February 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1916. ROBBEEY OF THE PUBLIC.

'Jiie secondary tanners oi' -New Zealand, as well as the public generally, liave been exploited to tlio extent of some thousands ot pounds sterling (during the last eight weeks) by speculators ill wheat. This was made possible by the actions of the New Zealand Coalition Government in reimposing the duty on cereals and in sanotionmg resunip . ot the export oi eoreals irom New Zealand. The quantity exported was negligible, but the power to export was used as a reason for advancing prices charged to JNew Zealand) consumers ot wheat and ita derivatives. Further, there "were allegations made that an insufficient quantity of wheat lor our needs was hold in Js&w Zealand and on this false premise the prices were raised again and again, until the retail cost per bushel, in districts eucii as Levin, rose tu 7s 3d per bushel and over, for sack lots. The true position tor these rises ley in the la.ot that diu"ing 1915 a great deal of speculating m ■wheat was done, and when pi-ices eased towards the end of the year a prospective loss of thousands of pounds timed the speculators. Such « prospect was not to be endured uy any speculator ; so devious methods were followed' until the Government was persuaded that the legislative regulation embargoes needed lifting in tiu> interests of fair business! How "lair" this procedure was the latest developments in the wheat market show. Undoubtedly there is wheat enough in the country (independent ot the new crop.) to last until the end of March. Figures quoted by the Right Hon. the Premier oi N«w Zealand attest this fact. Yet the prices went up and up, until the nefarious charges ot 7s 3d to 7s 6dt per bushel for fowl wheat or millers'. wheat (both) were reached. Today the fuct has become clearly apparent thai there was no .true basis for these charges; for new season's wheat is being .u in the south at prices that work out «r. one shilling to eightoenpence per bushel less than January prices for oh' grain obtained through the speculators. In proof of this we reprint the latest telegraphed quofcrfTions sent out by the United Press Association from Canterbury : — WHEAT AND OATS . Christchurcli, Feb. f. "The bulk of the new season's wheat which had hitherto changed hands, had gone to fill orders for fowl wheat, b;i* the price of the latter has now declined 4d to 6d per bushel, compared with a fortnight ago, and better qua I-

ity wheat is now offering, and the value j for milling purposes is how being esta >- liblied. Buyers almost invariably state that their price 011 trucks is os., and at this figure a number oi. sales have been made. A line oi pearl has also been purchased at 5s Id., audi a line of Tuscan more than average quality at 5s lid. The price of average quality milling Tuscan and Hunters is os., haudy stations. Fowl wheat is worth 4s 9d to 4s lOd. at country stations. For pearl reports are current that recent sales have ueen made locally at 5s 3d to 5s 4d., or that the-e prices were offered and refused enquiries failing to establish the correctness of the reports. Very few ats are offering, and in view ol the low quotations from the Bluff tße inquiry k not very keen, except lor good Duns, which are very scarce." These facts should be held in enduring memory by the public to the end Hint (bv representations to the Government) steps will be taken to ensme tbat in Novermber 1916 there shall be nn recrudescence ol the symptoms oi thievish acquisitiveness that were evident in the end mouths ol 1914 an! 11)15 alike