WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1917, Page 4

WHEAT AND FLOUR.

ACTION BY GOVERNMENT. FARMERS COMPELLED TO SELI By Telegraph.—Press Association, Dunedin, Last Night A deputation, representing the millers in Dunedin and Southland, had a hurried interview with the Hon. W. ]->• S. Mac Donald (Minister of Agriculture) to-night regarding the j<rice of wheat. In reply to questions, the Minister said that the price of sacks \v:u fixed at Sd, payable by the millers; the price of wheat was fixed f.o.b. at main ports, wheat to be paid for according; to quality, to be ascertained by the Government grader. The Government was not commandeering wheat, and the millers could buy in the usual way. If the farmers refused to sell, the Government would seize the wheat.

Every purchaser and seller would bo required to furnish a report a* to the quantity boiignt and sold, and the purpose for which it was bought or sold. Persons buying for speculation would b« liable to a heavy penalty. Some farmers had years' wheat on hand, but they would be compelled to sell. In regard to the railage on necessary wheat for mixing purposes in the South, millers would be allowed to charge an extra price on flour.

The import duty on Australian flour was re-imposed this morning. The Minister said ho was informed that it was impossible to land Australian flour here for £ls, but the deputsltion said ifc could be landed for £\i 10s.

Mr Mac Donald sail that, if necessary, the Government would increase the duty by ['.nether £l. The price of bran was JJ4. ar.d pollard £P. The Mint-!-" said that affording to figures obtained by the Government Statistician, there were 1,050,000 bushels of wheat in the Dominion, the bulk of which wa* probably held by speculators. Farmers held only 250,0»0 bushels If anything like that were found to exits, the Government would seize the wheat.