MAIZE HELD BACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 4

MAIZE HELD BACK.

PRICES FORCED UPWARDS. I FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES. High prices are now ruling for maize on the Auckland market, due to an acute shortage of supplies. The present rate is 8 1 per bushel through store, but very little business is being done at that figure. . In spite oi this position it is stated that some 6000 or 7000 sacks of maize are being i held in the Poverty Bay and Bay of • Plenty. ! The president of the Poverty Bay Maize j Growers' Association sounded a warning in this respect. He said it appeared as though a few holders were trying to force the market. A few months ago they would have been satisfied to take 5 6 a bushel, but when thev wci~e offered that price thev held out for «/. and when they were offered 6/ they hung on in the hope or securing 66. The last-mentioned price had since been available, and still they would not sell. This action, he continued. _ was likely to jeopardise the position of all maize growers in the Poverty Bay and Bav or Plenty districts. If growers would not release their maize they would have no argument at all in endeavouring to retain the duty on imported maize. That ■would mean that New Zealand growers would not have the protection or the tariff which has been retained in spite of strong action by its opponents. Tiding Over Shortage. It was estimated, he said, that about 3000 sacks of maize were still held in I the Gisborne district, and from 3000 to 14000 in the Bay of Plenty. This was not a large quantity, but if it was released it would tide over the shortage until the large importations began to arrive in the autumn. Prices were bound to fall then, and if all held on until the last moment somebody might be left m the rush to sell. In the meantime there would be such ' a clamour about New Zealand growers . being unable to grow nearly sufficient ! maize for requirements that the . Government might be induced to take ! immediate action in reducing ur removing I the duty. The tariff was put on onlv ! for the protection of New Zealand growers ' and not for revenue purposes, and i: it I could be proved that the growers did I not appreciate that protection the resuite might be disastrous to the.'*'. WHAKATANE VIEWS. (By Telegraph.—Special to * 4 Star.") [ WHAKATANE. this day. I With regard to the reported maize sh->r- ' t.iu'e, purchasing firms in Whakatane ili<--j c ount the suggestion that there a: e !.r.-'<• ' quantities "f maize being held this | district. It is s-iid th it Upotiki ha- Y e-i | practically denned out and it i- d übtl'il | if more than 1000 sacks could be found | the Whakatane district. The current I price is 6 9 net. but little is changing I hands at this figure.