MAXIMUM PRICES

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 90, 16 April 1920, Page 7

MAXIMUM PRICES

FIXED FOE FLOUR, BRAN, AND

POLLARD,

Regulations fixing the maximum prices for flour, bran, and pollard were published in last night's Gazette. The price of flour is to £16 10a per ton f.o.b. at South- Island ports, in the wheat-growing districts, less 2j per cent, if payment is made within seven days lifter. delivery. In the case of a sale otherwise than in this manner, the price shall be equivalent as regards) the seller to the price fixed as the maximum. When tlie miller's nearest port is other than Lytteltoii,' Timaru, or Oamaru, the price is to bo £18 per ton, with the same conditions as to payment, but there may be added to the price the cost of carriage of a ton of flour from the nearest of these named wheat ports to the nearest port of shipment The price of bran is to be £7 per ton f.o.b. -at Lyttelton, Timaru, or O'amaru, and in the case of other portß of. despatch, this, amount, with the addition of the amount of carriage to that port from Lyttelton.. Timaru, *or Oamaru, whichever is least. The price of pollard) is to be £9 per ton, with the same conditions. In every case provision is njade for a rebate ol 2? per cent, for payment within seven days of delivery. Provision is made for allowing a profit to merchants selling bran and pollard in small quantities. ' If the sale is of a quantity of half a ten or more the price may be 10s per ton in the caee of bran, and 153 per ton in the case of pollard, above the scheduled prices alreadiy given. In sales of quantities of less than half a ton, an excess above the scheduled price of 12s 6d per ton for bran, and 17a 6d for pollard is to be allowed.

These prices are all maximum prices. It will be .'quite lawful for any seller to sell at less thaji these prices, but not to exceed them. A clause at the end of the regulations is evidently intended to meet special cases. It provides that the Board of Trade may authorise the sale of flour, bran, or pollard in any specified locality, or by any specified seller, at prices greater than those prescribed in the schedules of the regulations.