The Price of Foodstuffs. Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 17, 24 April 1902, Page 17

The Price of Foodstuffs.

Notes

The heavy losses which the farmers in the coastal strip between North Canterbury and South Otago have sustained by the raiiis which fell at harvest time are to some extent mitigated by the high prices which now prevail for produce of all kinds In this advantageous rise in prices these who are outside the looality indicated will of course more fully share, and many a farmer will now find himself well repaid for years of extremely low prices. To the non-pioducing section of the population this will no doubt mean an additional strain on resources, but they have been espeoially favoured by industrial legislation, and will have no difficulty in recognising that the prosperity of the producing classes in a colony like Ne--v Zealand, which largely depends upon its products, means the prosperity of all. Though it is probably not the case that the Millers' Trust, or Association, has, as yet, anything to do with the increased price of foodstuffs, it is undoubtedly the fact that a greater margin than before exists between the producer and the ultimate consumer. Wheat was almost as dear in 1898 as it is to-day, yet flour was much cheaper; To-day wheat brings about us in Australia, yet flour is £2 10s per ton cheaper than in New Zealand, and the difference in the qualities of the wheat for milling purposes will not nearly account for the disparity. The high price in Australia is accounted for by an unexpected shortage in the yields, the deficit amounting to upwards of ten millions of bushels. If this hod rot happened, there would have been a surplus for export, and Australian wheat would now be pouring into New Zealand. Again, the a-ra under crop this year in New Zealand IB 00,000 acres less than it was last year, and this must have its iufluen;e on prices. The rise in the price of oats is of course due to the demand iv South Africa, which has more than compensated for

the loss of the Australian market by the imposition of the new duties. This demand may or may not continue. The impression of commercial experts is that it will not continue. But it came at a very opportune time, and saved the Few Zealand farmer from the disaster of over supply in a narrow market. There is now, happily, reason to believe that the recent disaster in the wheat growing districts is not so severe as was at first feared, and, generally, the prospects of the farming community are exceedingly bright. This, we repeat, mnst have a beneficial influence on the trade of the Colony, and add materially to the prosperity with which it is at present blessed.