NO SPECULATION IN WHEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1672, 8 February 1917, Page 3

NO SPECULATION IN WHEAT.

Christchurch, Feb. (i

The Hon. W. D. >S. MacDonald staled to-day that it was intended to guarantee wheat growers 5s 5d per bushel in respect of next year’s crop, or, at the Government’s discretion, 5s l()d.

Dunedin, Feh. (I

Mr MacDonald informed a deputation of Southern millers to-night that the wheat would be paid for according to quality to he ascertained by a Government grader. The Government were not commandeering' wheat. The millers could buy in the usual way. If the farmers refused lo sell the Government would seize the wheat. Every purchaser and seller was requested to furnish a report of the quantity bought and sold, and the purpose for which it was bought and sold. Persons buying for speculation would be liable lo a heavy penalty. Some farmers had two years’ wheat on hand, hut Ihey would he compelled to sell. The import duly on Australian flour was reimposed this morning. The .Minister said that he had been informed that it was impossible lo land Australian Hour here for £ls, hut the deputation said that it could he landed for £l4 10s. Mr MacDonald said that if necessary the Government would increase the duty another £l. Thu price of bran was £-1, and pollard £(i per ton. The Minsiler said that according to the figures obtained by the Government Statistician there were 1,(550,000 bushels of wheat in the Dominion. The hulk was probably held by speculators. The farmer held only 250,000 bushels. If anything like that were found to exist the Government would seize wheat.