TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1919, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

fFEn PRESS ASSOCIATION. —CQCVBIfIUT.I FLOUK SUBSIDY. WELLINGTON, May 25. The floqr subsidy, authorised by Cabinet some months ago, is now being paid to the flour millers who have substantiated their claims to it.

The Acting-President of the Board of Trade (Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald), said to-day that the amount of subsidy was calculated according to the sum necessary to make up the difference between the past season’s cost of producing and this season’s. There was an addition of Bd. per bushel to the price of New Zealand wheat, and the price of flour had been reduced by 10s. a ton, to enable the bakers to make good certain increased charges. These and other smaller items formed the basis of the flour subsidy, which worked out at about £2/15/- a ton, according to the yarieties of the circumstances of the millers. The id?a was to ensure a reasonable return to the miller, so that lie might be. enabled to. carry on fn s business.

PRICE OP POTATOES. CHRISTCHURCH, May 24. The lighting of the embargo on the export of potatoes has resulted in a rise in the wholesale price of from ss. ]t(o iOs. ton!.: The . rise would have been much greater if shipping were available to place the crop on the Sydney market. A potato farmer stated yesterday, thgt whereas potatoes wore £5 10s. a ton before 'the embargo was lifted, they were now; £5/15,/- oy £6, the latter price being offered for dune delivery. Tlie crop Wfls good, and there was no •blight, in it, and £6 » top would pay the grower- He added that £6 to-day was as good 33 £lO last season, why labour was required to pick over the potatoes and there was a considerable wastage. A potato merchant confirmed the present price as being from £5/15/- to £6.

MINERS FROM AUSTRALIA. WELLINGTON, May 25

When asked if anything further had been done regarding the invitation to New South Wales miners to come to New Zealand, the Minister of Mines said that the Labour Department had the matter in hand. The proposal had (Originated with the suggestion that some of the men thrown put of wprk at Cphar would fpmc tp New Zealand if no obstacle were placed in the way. The Ne\y South Wales Government bad advised that it would impose no restriction, but nothing further had been beard. At the present time, it would be difficult for any men to come over, owing to the effect of the epidemic, and quarantine on shipping.