WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 172, 29 December 1914, Page 5

WHEAT AND FLOUR.

GOVERNMENT SHOWN UP. WHAT HAPPENED AT DARGAVJUjE. Dargaville, December 20 There ihave been some rat-ber extt*ordinary happenings in this district (Illr r irig the pa«t week regarding the supply ' ' oi (lour, and these have set the people wondering at the Government's inaction over the matter. It has been snade apparent that Ilia Government knows that) stocks of Hour are being held by certain 'people, but unless thire is an agitntion from influential quarters, the holders are not interfered with. Tile supply of flour to the Northern Wairoa district has been hitherto obtained from Lyttclton, with which port the Kaipara sawmills have for many years carried on a regular trade. Southern merchants, now, however, have refused orders for flour, the suppliers stating that holders of wheat were tho m cause oi the market shortage. In order to fend off a flour famine, the Mayor of DOargavillc, air J, McLean, telegraphed a statement of the position to the Prime Minister. On Wednesday lie received a reply from Mr Massey. stating that the Northern Roller Mills (had large stocks of flour and wheat on hand, and that there should be no difficulty in obtaining supplies from that source. Mr Massey also intimated that he would he glad to learn of the identity of the private individuals who were alleged to be holding wheat .supplies, lie said that there was comparatively little in the hands of farmers or merchants, but. that as in a few dnvs a large quantity of wheat would arrive froin Canada Oie did not expect any serious difficulty in obtaining supplies, Acting on Sir Massev's suggestion the Mayor telegraphed to the Northern Holler Mills, asking for flour auotations, and received an answer stating that the Jiroprietors regretted being unable to furnish quotations. This To.ply was forwarded to Mr Masser, and in'the afternoon the Mayor received two more telegrams, one from the Northern Roller Mills offering to sell and the other from 'Mr Massey statin- that lie had telegraphed to the Auckland company, and! had arranged that it should supply the Northern Wairoa Amazement has been expressed that the Government has so long delay.;! action in these matters, and the amazement is all fee greater at tho clear evidence that Mr Massey iknows the situation but is ipowerless, through the pregsure of his party supporters, to give the mass of the people a square deal.