THE WHEAT CENSUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1915, Page 5

THE WHEAT CENSUS.

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. • .' ' ( By Telegraph.—Press Association. • Wellington, Last Night. "' In the House this.afternoon, ' Mr. J. MeConrbs said our Statistical ■ ,- Department was starved, and consequently our information regarding crop* and food supplies was altogether misleading. ■ ' > Mr. Anstey complained that the wheat census was not reliable, because the '. forms supplied to farmers could not result in accurate information boing given. ,' Mr. Massey said the wheat cenaus had never been so accurately supplied as it had been .since he had taken the matter in hand. , v Mr. Witty complained that wheat had been sold by the Government to a Canterbury miller at a price which' enabled that miller to dispose of it at a higher price, thus exploiting the people. There never had been any necessity for importing wheat, and if the statistics Had been properly taken at first that would have 'been obvious long ago. The statistics might be correct now, but that was not the position ,«ojno mouths ago. The Vrime Minister, replying to Mr.'"' Wtity's remarks;* said full statistical in-; formation would be given regarding tie Government's transactions In wheat. He denied any charge of exploitation, *nd r*ad an agreement made with the millew ' fixing the price of ftourat.£W 10s. He affirmed that there had been a jserious : shortage fl f wheat. The action taken" ' by the Government in importing whet* had resulted an a surplus to-day. An additional 23,000 acros had been sown in wheat this year, and he had every confidence 'there would foe sufficient wheat to supply us till next crop none in, i! the conditions were normal. That day he had refused an application, of & } large firm to allow a quantity to be «*' > ported. The Government had remitted ' the duty on wheat and flour and had prohibited exportation.