PURCHASE OF AUSTRALIAN MEAT

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 12 October 1916, Page 5

PURCHASE OF AUSTRALIAN MEAT

DETAILS 'OF THE ARRANGEMENT

LONDON, Oct. 10ft In the House of Commons Mr Runciman stated 'that meat and wheat importations to Britain, must be undertaken largely, if not entirely, under the Commission's control, and in anticipation of these staps the Government had made very large purchases /of Australian w-heat. The Commonwealth Govenrmeht in 1915 purchased Australian wheat, but with their granaries full they found themselves short, of /tonnage to Europe. Steps Were now being taken to ensure the conveyance of all the British Government's purchases. As' the wheat imports to Britain in future will be in the State's hands, the rull benefit of the reduced carriage^ and cost will accurue to the State, and hot to private individuals.' The system adopted by the Tonnage/Committee will be continued, with a condition that re-quisitioned-vessels will be! required to provide the necessary spaice } at fixed rates. Arrangements have been made to secure a regular supply for the United Kingdom during the transition period.

Mr W. Thorne asked whether the Board of Trade was empowered to compel shipowners to carry wheat And flour ■from America m preference to nonessentials. "

\ Mr ; Runciman replied that they had the power and exercised it. _Mr Runciman,'replying to a question whether the Government-would prevent exploitation by retailers, said the Government would not bring wheat to London and allow' others to filch the adivantags from the consumers.

Official: The terms and order of reference- of the Royal Commission provide for inquiring into the supply, and to purchase, sell and control "delivery of wheat and flonr on behalf of the Government, and generally to take such steps a« may seem desirable for maintaining the supply.