SUPPLY OF OATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15686, 13 August 1914, Page 8

SUPPLY OF OATS.

GREATER THAN SUPPOSED. .'V ' ALLEGED ATTEMPTED CORNER [BY TELEGRAPH— CORRESPONDENT. ] Wellington, Wednesday. The Prime Minister was asked to-night by Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) whether the Government, in obtaining supplies of oats for the expeditionary force, would deal direct with the farmers instead of calling for tenders, and thus allowing the matter to get into a few hands. Ho believed irom telegrams that were coming from all parts of the country that an attempt was being made to create a corner in oats. Mr. Massey said that as far as possible the Government would deal direct with the . fanners. It had already asked for tenders for oats, etc., and taking quality into consideration, it was the Government's duty to accept, the lowest tender. Mr. Witty: Could you not fix a price and allow the farmers .to send in their samples? Mr. Massey said that he did not think , that such a large quantity of oats would be required on this occasion as during tho • South African war, for other arrangements would bo made for supplies after tho end • of the voyage. , In reply to a question from the Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) Mr. Massey said he [ hoped to be able within a few days to an- > nounce a modification of the proclamai tion which had been issued prohibiting i the export, of oats. So far as his infor- . mation went he had reason to believe that ! there were more oats in New Zealand at ■ the present time than would meet the, Dominion's requirements beforo next harvest. If that were so he would have no objection to a modification of the proclamation. ; THE IRISH 1 EXAMPLE. ! t . MR. MASSEY'S TRIBUTE [l)T TELEGRArn.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. " I am proud of being of Irish birth," said tho Prime Minister at tho Wellington patriotic meeting last evening, amidst applause, " A fortnight ago," he continued, "tho two great sections of tho Irish ' people were looking at each other along tho barrels of their rifles, but to-day they are standing sido by side and shoulder to shoulder ready to fight for their country and their Empire." (Cheers.) Mr. Massey said that he ventured to say that after the war was over the grass would grow green over many graves in which the bones of many Watermen and many Nationalists, who had laid down their lives in the service of their country, would rest together. LOCAL BODIES' GIFTS. VALIDATING LEGISLATION. [by TELEGRAPH.—srzCIAIV CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Prime Minister was asked by Mr. C. K. Wilkinson (Egmont) this evening, whether the Government would introduce legislation, to validate the action of local bodies in making, contributions to the Empire Defence Fund. Mr. Maßsey stated that tho .Government intended to introduce legislation in the direction luggested.