DOMINION’S FLOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9736, 11 August 1917, Page 7

DOMINION’S FLOUR

A SERIOUS POSITION SEVERAL MILLS CLOSE DOWN, A rather serious state of affairs was revealed in. Parliament yesterday relative to the wheat position in New Zealand. Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West) read the following telegram he had received that day from Auckland: “No cheap flour reaches Auckland, Australian 30s dearer than local. Must have it for mixing; Now Zealand wheat soft; no strength; make representations. —King, secretary Master Bakers.” Air Poole asked the Prime Minister what ho intended to do regarding tho difficulty in regard to importation of flour from Australia. There appeared to be some serious difficulty about the matter, Air Massey replied that ho did not think the members understood the position. Statistics had shown that there was not a sufficient quantity of wheat in New Zealand for the future. In view of this the wheat purchase had been made from Australia W'ithin the last four weeks Southland millers were complaining that they were suffering from very severe competition regarding the very largs quantities of Australian flour coming into tho Dominion. Unless the Government could see its way to reduce the price of u heat some of thorn would bo compelled to close down. In fact several mills had been compelled to close down just recently. The whole question was coming before Cabinet during the week-end. Personally, bo had his own opinion about the matter. The Government would endeavour to do the right thing. One paragraph in the telegram to which exception might bo taken was in Hslorcnce to soft wheat. Mr Witty (Riccarlon): “It’s just the reverse; it is bard” Mr Massey : “If it is hard I do not think there is any necessity to mis it with Now Zealand wheat. I think that part of the telegram will create a wrong impression.' ’