THE PRICE OF WHEAT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9247, 14 January 1916, Page 2

THE PRICE OF WHEAT

To the Editor "N.Z. Times." Sir,—! wonder how many of the poblic noticed that in a speech'.of Mr Jki.as>eey on December 30tli, he is, repoiLou to have eaxt; "It is very doubtiui whether we shall hare enough wheat ioi our own reawrement*; tor the next twelve months." This is exactly wha'. we heard last year," and was the precursor or paving of the way by the mer chant* to exploit the public to the tune oi a. quarter of a million. My reason for drawing the attention of the public to this lact it> that taej may fully realise in time what is gom;, to take place. The hint has already gone forth to the ruerchant, and he-tuon-fi how to act on it; very goon we shall hear that wheat has gone up in price. Did you ever hear of wheat going up.' How can wheat go up? This i» juggnu, with _ words, and what it really mean: is—that a certain ring of gentlezueii have decided'that, they themselves will manipulate the wheat market, or ii plain English will fleece the public. The public should understand that the attentions of these gentlemen are not necessary for toe turning of wheat into bread? Now, are we all going to be made fools of again? Are the people of Xew Zealand calmly going to stand by aad ee» a few gamble with their mean* of.

existence, not with luxuries mind yon. but our daily bread? Gambling in futures, such being the necessities of the people, has been forbidden in Germany by Act of Parliament for years, and is punishable by imprisonment or fines. It clearly means then that the middleman, who is going to run up your wheat prices, is a useless and undesirable person. The only two people that are wanted are the farmer and the milNow, what is the remedy? The people must all be united, and refuse to be made puppets of any longer. Stand up and fight for your rights, don't lite cowards take it lying down. AH stand shoulder to shoulder as one man, and you can do anything—alter anything—get anything. Demand of the Government that a competent judge, such as Primrose McDonnell, should be sent through the length and breadth of the land to buy up all the wheat, either by the bushel or standing. Then let our Government arrange with the millers, if they don't want to takt over a mill or two for themselves, to grind the corn, and so allow the people to have it at a reasonable price. The farmer grows the wheat, the public buy it, one cannot work without the other. It is no good for the farmer t» grow wheat unless he hae a purchaser for it. Why should one bo considered more than another? Are the people to have no consideration? Where is tb« justice and freedom we boast of. which is going to allow the already rich man to make unjußt profits out of the toiler of this country? We are asking for our rights..to be allowed to live decently, and not to bo ground down into poverty. As far as I can see, the best method •rould be to form a committee to be formed in every town, the matter to be placed before every member, for inquiries to be made in every district as to the bost means of forcing the measure through Parliament ■t« prevent this gambling. I 6hall be pleased to do what I can myself to help the public to help itself.—l am, etc., 1 VIGILANS.