FOOD SUPPLIES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15219, 5 March 1915, Page 8

FOOD SUPPLIES.

CANADA'S POSITION

OTTAWA-, March 3

Speaking in the House of Commons, Colonel Hujihes, Minister for Defence, stated that the Government's negotiations with wheat-growers had progressed favourably uiy.il a designing person succeeded iii inducing farmers to hold their stocks for higher prices. Mr Cockshutt moved that justification exi.sted for the Government exercising supreme control over the quantity and destiny of wheat exports, thereby regulating home food prices, and at the same time directing that hurnlus grain should reach only, Britain ana friendly countries. He declared that the Canadian visible wheat stocks Hero sinking rapid!y_. and were already down to eight million bushels. It was expected that the next six weeks would see An unprecedented squeeze, owing to the situation coming on top of a world shortage of four hundred millions of bushels. It was estimated that the total wheat available for the Dominion to meet the requirements of the flour mills, and for seed and food supplies, was 12,618,000 bushels. Half a year's supply to carry on till next harvest was garnered would mean a requirement of twenty-three- million bushels, while for Canada about ten to fifteen millions of bushels were required for seed Mipply.

The motion was negatived without a division.

The Premier, Sir Robert Borden, stated that he had advised the Imperial Government that large quantities of foodstuffs were available in Canada at reasonable prices, and the fact tha6 Britain had not taken steps to secure these supplies led to the inference that she had already made ample provision for all requirements.