FOWL WHEAT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1932, Page 6

FOWL WHEAT

IMPORTS NOW NEEDED,

, (Per Press Association— Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, August 17

The available quantity tif goad whole fowl wheat in New Zealand at present is receiving the consideration of the Minister of Industries and Commerce. 11 is expected that he will shortly make important recommendations to Cabinet concerning the importation of this commodity. •Representatives of ■ the Crain Merchant’s Assn, from Auckland, Web- 1 lington and - other district*/ in 'the North Island!met the Minister to-day, when they emphasised that there was an inadequate supply of good whole fowl wheat, and that the price that is' being asked is in excess of the true value of the wheat that is being sold. Interviewed later, the Minister said' that he had already met. -representatives of the Wheat- Growers’ Association and the Wheat Marketing Board during his recent visit to Canterbury with a view of : ascertaining for liimself. -the exact position - regarding the available supplies and the quality/ Having now met representatives of tlm Grain Merchants’ Association he would consider the position generally and would make recommendations to Cabinet in the immediate future concerning the qifestion of the ; importation of the requisite amount of fowl wheat required for the consumption in the North Island. In making lhs recommendations to Cabinet, the Minister added, consideration would, be given to the question' of control, the quantity to be imported, distribution, and tlie price to be charged

GOVERNMENT’S WHEAT ' PURCHASE. "

PRICE QUESTIONED

AUCKLAND, August 17

Investigations into the Government’s •recent purchase of wheat have been made by the Secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Dr Neale), who is in Melbourne.

In a cablegram received to-day, he says: “Victorian Whedtgrowers ’ 'Cor 1 poration tell me they shipped 85 per cent of the total wheat exported from Victoria last season, and 58 per cent th'is! season to»date. This corporation was not accorded the opportunity of quoting for the recent /-New Zealand purchases. The corporation was a free sellen to other markets at 3s 2d ppr bushel f.o.b. during the last week in June, which apparently was the date of the New Zealand purchase, ;and foi 500,000 bushels would have shaded the price by a halfpenny.’’ • Mr Jackson,' chairman of the importers’ section of the Cham l er’, said: this information proved that the'state,-' •ment' made thirfr''“tenders”- were-called and competition was quite 'open'”' was incorrect, and that the price paid by th Government was " considerably above the ruling market rate, at the time of purchase/