THE WHEAT PURCHASE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3113, 18 June 1917, Page 8

THE WHEAT PURCHASE

: QUALITY OP THE 'IMPORTED GRAIN. "Tho long-expected anr.onmcement by the Uovetwnent as to the exact terms ot the Australian wheat deal,, as far as concerns the price which ie to be paid by Dominion millers, ie still awaited (eaya the Christchureh "Sun"} ' The reason for this ephinx-like attitude is causing many speculative theories. These have been heightened by tho turn affairs nave taken in connection with the sliipnttmt of cram which has arrived inDun«Jtn. It would appear almost certain that tho cereal has already been distribut-ed-amonget millets there, for considerable comment has arisen as to the qualify of theiwirchases. But as to the price at ■nrhichitne importations have been resold in JDunedin, strangely enough, Jβ; finite oridenco is still lacking-. If it.is at;tho -landed cost of te. 3d. a bushel, it ■will be necessary to raise, gazetted flour and the resulting: complications would bo endless. Southern millers, it is .understood, hold praoticaily no New Zealand etocks, nut this does not apply to: their Canterbury confreres, most of whom hold-supplies purchased at renvunerativo":pnceß,,.which should last thorn until the end of December. Any increase in the gazetted- price "of floux , of .£ls a ton would, therefore, place the Ofjago mill-owners at a seriojiß disadvantage. It shoii'd be clearlv understood that'flour could not be.eold at .£ls. a ton if the Australian.-wheat was purchased at the landed cost 'of 6s. 3d. a

bushel. Although the- article across fhe Tasman is genorallf a more nrolißc milling variety, yet it is estimated that its floiw, if the wheat was obtained. under the circumstances mentioned, would have to-be sold at 255. more than the prp«°nt fixed price to return a . profit. What then will the Government do in view of this position f" ■■.■-.. \

"As to the qnality of the importations, acoounfc? vary. It is generally ndmitted that the srrain nn to sample is a.bripht. Ix>ld article, but it ie also said thnt many of the baas were by '/buyers" on account of thn wheat being. hest«l "nnd sprouting, and in some Pase3 also of'being attacked b- weevil. The jrreiitRst' complain, is in the condition of the Racks. These had manifestly .I>een cmios«l to the weather for some tinie—the importations consist of last year's grain—with th" re.=nlt that.narv hurst in the ship'/: hold, the men unloading being compelled in many cases to worlc up to their knees in loo=e wheat; Such drawbacks, liowpvpt. phonld notf"nl.f- to the balance of the shipments. No donbt it was in of the -urcent demand* n{ tlip sowUiPrn tW the- initial shipment was made before the frnvernmont gKlf hud an oitpoTtnnihof making ian official inspection and selection across the Tasman."