WHEAT AND FLOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19386, 22 July 1926, Page 10

WHEAT AND FLOUR.

POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. RETENTION OF THE DUTIES. ENCOURAGING PRODUCTION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. References to the wheat and flour problem were made in the House today. In answer to a question, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. 0. J. Hawken, said the Government is desirous of encouraging the production of wheat in New Zealand and considers that this can best be achieved by the retention of the customs duties on wheat and wheat products. Certain duties are in force and it is not thought necessary that any agreement should be made between the Government and the wheatgrowers. Mr. D. Jones (Ellesmere) asked the Minister whether he would make inquiries from the, owners of flour mills who allege they are closing through a shortage of wheat, in order to ascertain whether they are closing for this reason or because they have considerable quantities of flour on hand and prefer to close until this flour is disposed of. Mr. Hawken replied: The subject has been receiving the consideration of the Government and further information will be sought. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) said unless . they could get an assurance from the wheatgrowers that they could provide sufficient wheat for the whole of New Zealand they would land this country in a great difficulty. If a farmed could make more money out of something else they could not compel him to grow wheat. There was a limit to what they could do by way of a duty because they might raise it so high as to cause a rising in the country because of the high price of bread. The Hon. W. Nos worthy said the present shortage was due to the past season, last autumn being unsatisfactory lor sowing. There was a better prospect this year and he believed the indications were that next year we would have ample for our requirements. He maintained it was not wise to depend upon Australia or other overseas countries for supplies. If New Zealand got into that position Australia might demand £3O a ton. The Government had a policy now and they should give it a fair triaL It would give a sufficiency of wheat.

FLOtm PRICE INCREASED. BREAD RATES NOT AFFECTED. The wholesale and retail prices of local and Southern flour in Auckland v were increased yesterday, the rise in the wholesale rate being 10s a ton. It is understood the price of bread will not be affected. It is not the practice of the Master Grocers' Association to fix prices for flour, but individual members arrived at a new scale of retail prices based on the old rate and the increase made in the Wholesale rates. The new rates, compared -with the old, are as follow:—•

WHOLESALE PRICES. Old Rates. New Rates. Per Ton. Per Ton. 2001b sacks *. .. £19 15 0 ,£20 5 0 1001b bass . 20 10 0 21 0 0 601b bags .. 21 0 0 21 10 0 251b bags .. 21 15 0 22 5 0 1211b bags. .. . . 22 12 0 23 2 6 RETAIL CASH PRICES. Old Rates. New Rates. Per Bag. Per Bag. 2001b <. .£220 JS2 i a 1001b • • 12 3 14 0 501b 0 11 41 0 12 9 25lb • • • • 0 6 0 0 6 6 1211b • • • • 0 3 2 0» 3 6 6ilb 0 18 0 1 10