THE WHEAT SUPPLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16292, 27 January 1915, Page 2

THE WHEAT SUPPLY

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ANSWERKD. PRIME MINISTER'S OPINION BORNE OUT. (Fbom Odr Own Cobijespondenth.) WELLINGTON, January 25. A member of Parliament who has taken «iiiio interest, in the wheat supply problem, recently supplied the Prime Minister with the names of four farmorts in Canterbury who were imposed to hold considerable quantities of wheat. Mr Massey at once gave the names to the Registrar-general, and asked him to make the necessary inquiries ijo accordance with the statutory authority he now potisessc* to ascertain the quantity of wheat held by each of the farmers whose names had been given. That information has since reached the Prime Minister. Number 1 farmer holds 25 sacks of wheat, seconds (unfit for milling). Number 2 put his stock on the scales and discovered that he held six bushels 51b 9oz (a bushel weighing 601b). Number 3 confesses to 30 bushels of seconds. Number 4 proves to be a. miller as well as a farmer. Although he had some wheat, ho has informed the department that he has not enough wheat in stock to supply hie customers until the new wheat comes in. Ho las asked, therefore, that he bo allowed to purchase 2000 tons of imported wheat from the Government. " This," Mr Massey said, referring to tho foregoing particulars, "bears out the opinion I expressed a few days ago that, apart from tho wheat held by millers, we have practically reached the end of our stocks, and that if it had not been for the action of tho Government in making arrangements for the importation of wheat and flour the position would havo been somewhat serious before now. One of the principal millers in tho dominion has stated in a letter to mo that the action of the Government in importing wheat and selling it at a low price has saved the consuming public of the dominion between £20,000 and £25,000. In reply to a telegram advising tho terms of the allotment of the wheat, cargo of tho Kaipaoi and Hosperos, Mr Massey has received the following telegram from a firm of millers m Dunedin :— "Thanks for wire. Your arrangements saved the (situation, ai.d preclude further danger. Sincerely congratulate you."