WHEAT SUPPLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1917, Page 5

WHEAT SUPPLIES.

■ POSITION IN THE DOMINION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oisborne, Last Night. Mr. Witty, M.P., asked a question in the House.to-da ( y as to whether the Government would distribute wheat stocks held by millers, so as to keep all the mills going. The question was referred to the Hon. Macdonald to-night. Ho said that when the Government fixed tile price for wheat, many large millers purchased full supply to last till about November next. Some of the smaller milters who held back, now had insufficient stocks to carry on. To distribute the wheal among the mills would mean enhancing the value, which would reflect itself on bread, and cause an increase in price. He, therefore, was reluctant to instruct the Board of Trade to take wheat from mills with large stocks and hand it over to the millers who missed the opportunity to provide sufficient stocks for their own requirements. However, the Board of Trade would make full enquiries, and. if necessary, would adjust matters. Mr. Macdonald added that considerable flour had arrived from Tasmania, and also a small quantity from Sydney, and there need re no alarm as far as consumers were concerned, as there was ample wheat and flour in the Dominion "to supply all requirements for three or four months, and long before that lie hoped to get the wheat purchased in Australia which would be fairly and equitably distributed throughout the various districts of the Dominion. Mr. Macdonald stated ho was in communication with Australia as late as Saturday, and there was little probability of wheat shipments for some time.