THE FLOUR INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 June 1926, Page 11

THE FLOUR INDUSTRY.

SHORTAGE OF WHEAT. (by TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, June 28. . ‘‘Dunedin mills are in Om same position as in the north with regard to the flour-milling industry,” said a !o--cal miller. “We are buying wheat at prices which do not permit any profit.” “Though this company was working at a loss, it would lose still more by closing down, because it cost a fair turn per week to shut- down. It was common business prudence, therefore, to keep running. . Meantime, with the recently-increased railway charges, wheat was costing 7s a bushel on trucks. Australian wheat at 8/8 a bushel was prohibitive, and he did not think any mills in New Zealand could keep going after September. • ! 1 The whole position had arisen through New Zealand not growing enough wheat for its requirements this season. New Zealand won 1 d be probably ovei 2,000,000 bushels short. The position was serious, not only from the point of view of the miller, but from the point of view of unemployment. There were certain stocks in hand, but it was probable that the mills would have to dose for about four months. [An -earlier message dealing with this position will be found on page 7.]