FLOUR SHORTAGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18334, 17 February 1920, Page 4

FLOUR SHORTAGE.

DIFFICULTIES DISAPPEARING. Grocers in Christchurch report that their troubles in respect to supplies of flour have almost disappeared. There is a notable slackening in the demands made by consumers, and no difficulty is experienced now in meeting every customer's requirements, provided that they are reasonable. As far as can bo ascertained, millers consider the new regulations issued by the Board of Trade for the control of the sale of flour as inoperative. It is possible that some effort will be made to deliver flour in spite of the embargo. As a matter oi fact, millers are asking whether regulations actually prohibit them from doing their part in the completion of contracts. It is contended by some of them that a permit to make a transaction must be applied for by the person who buys the flour, and who must make a declaration as to the quantity he already holds. Although the regulations have been in force for sevoral days, no permits have been applied for. It would be useless to apply up to the present time, as the Wheat Controller, tho only person authorised to give them, is away from Christchurch, together with his assistant. He will return to-day, however, and the millers probably will ask him to define their position under the regulations. They state that they have ample stocks of wheat and flour in hand to meet the demands. Grocers seem ' unanimously to blame consumers for creating a bogus shortage. They say that if there had been no hoarding by householders, no; difficulty would have arisen.