IMPORTATIONS OF WHEAT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 33, 9 February 1915, Page 7

IMPORTATIONS OF WHEAT

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSE Y. PRICE OF BREAD IX AUCKLAND. (Mr TUBclUrtl.— SPECIAL TO TltE FOST ) AUCKLAND. 'Jin's Day. Iv speaking of the importations of wheat last evening, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F Masscy) stated that approximately 400.000 bushels, of the Canadian wheat bought for New Zealand was now on the water, and. as already announced, arrangements had been made for the puichase of a further million bushels iv Canada, to be delivered there for shipment in July should so great a quantity be required. Arrangements were now being made for steamers to bring this wheat to the Dominion. Arrangements had also been made with the Government of Canada, to inspect and pass the wheat on behalf of the New Zealand Government before the purchase was concluded. Mr. Massev said that he had no donbt that the action of tho Government in removing the restrictions in regard to the price of wheat would have the ellect of inducing farnieis to sow v much larger area in whpat during the coining year. He _ hoped that this increase would be sufficient to make any further shortage impossible. In reply to an enquiry respecting the position in regard to the increase in the piicc of Hour, the Prime Minister stated that he had already announced that the Government had fixed £14 10s per ton as the price at which Hour manufactured from wheat purchased Irom the Government could be sold. As to other flour, he stated that he had ananged with the Registrar-General's Department to furnish fortnightly returns showing the prices at, which foodstuffs were being sold in the principal conties of the Dominion. The legislation passed last session gives the Government power at any period during war time to commandeer any food supplies which it may appear are to be held for the purposes of undue profit or speculation. On it being pointed out to Mr. Massey that the price of bread in Auckland had been raised to 5d per 21b loaf, he stated that he intended to ask the Chairman of the Food Commission fo investigate this matter, and to report as to whether there was sufficient teason for the increa.se.