THE PRICE OF BREAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19691, 19 January 1926, Page 8

THE PRICE OF BREAD.

I» a letter which we publish this morning a correspondent raises the vexed question of the price of bread’. He asks in the first place why, during the warperiod, New Zealand had the distinction of providing the dearest loaf in the British Empire. That question prompts another—did New Zealand actually possess such a distinction P We are disposed to doubt the accuracy of the assumption. Our correspondent asks further why bread should be at its present “famine” price in New Zealand, seeing that Great Britain, while importing the bulk of her wheat and flour, is able to provide a much cheaper loaf than trib wheat-pro-ducing Dominion. To speak of bread being at a famine price in this country is, of course, an exaggeration. Apart from that, the question must appear pertinent to consumers who have not followed the discussions of which the wheat situation has been so productive. The answer is found in a survey of the peculiar position which the wheat growing industry occupies in this country. It might be easy enough for the Government to tell the fanners that it was tired of lending them, through the imposition tof protective duties, an encouragement to grow wheat which has been productive of no better results than those visible to-day. But, supposing it washed its hands of ths wheat growers, the consumers might benefit temporarily, only to find themselves in a worse position in the long run. That is where the difficulty lies. Nobody could be anxious to see New Zealand entirely dependent on outside supplies of an essential commodity such as wheat, the more especially because her nearest source of supply is neither a very close nor reliable one. With a surplus at her own disposal Australia could supply New Zealand with the wheat which out farmers are reluctant to grow in sufficient quantities to meet our needs. Suppose that New Zealand were to rely on Australia for wheat, and a drought were to visit the Commonwealth—no uncommon experience—this country would then be in a distinctly unpleasant predicament. We might have to import wheat from distant Canada and pay prices for it which would truly approach the famine standard. It is worth recalling, too, that when a few years ago this country was short of wheat and the Government turned to Australia, which had an abundance, the attempt was made to exploit the Dominion shortage by the imposition of excessive prices for Australian wheat. The wheat growers in New Zealand may deserve a good deal of the criticism that is directed against them. They certainly look after their own interests. But it is to be borne in mind that it is in the national interest that the Government has endeavoured, and continues to endeavour, to encourage wheat growing in New Zealand. It is necessary, for the reasons which we have traversed, to safeguard the Dominion against being left without any home-grown supplies. In the case of the United Kingdom the position wears a different complexkoL,

Sir William Sim hae been appointed chairman ot th© Prisons Board in succession. 10 Sir Robert Stout, whose occupancy of the office will be automatically terminated at the close of this month through his retirement from the Supreme Court Bench. Sir Robert Stout will, however, continue to dot as a member of the board. Speaking at the Council of the Dominion Bowling -Association on Friday night, duringthe discussion on the faulty arrangement© for the accommodation of the British bowling party on the ferry steamer Wahine, Mr J. M. Thomson, of Auckland, was nv ported as saying that the English bowler* were to blame as they had no “funds.” He points out that the word “funds” referred to a common fund. At the meeting of the st. Kilda Borough Council last evening several councillors stated that they had received complaint© from residents about the wretched tram service on the Tahuna and Plunket street sections. The position was stated to be an exasperating one, and it was suggested that a strong protest should be seat to the Tramways Department. After consideration it wag decided that the department had a lot to do. and was obviously doing its best, for all districts. A protest was consdered unreasonable, and it was eventually resolved to write pointing out. that a few ifaprovements might be effected if the department could see its way clear to consider the question. The Union Steam’ Ship Company *8 steamer Kawatiri arrived at Port Cbaimers yesterday afternoon with a full cargo of coal from Newcastle. She left Newcastle last Tuesday at midnight, and two day* cut encountered heavy southerly weather, which continued until rounding Puseygnr Point on Sunday. Up the coast th© weather wm wet. The Kawatiri's cargo will b® discharged at Port Chalmers. A special meeting of the Green Idand Borough Council was held last night, when it was decided that a public meeting of ratepayers bo . held in the Public Hail, Green Island, on Monday, February 1, for the purpose of explaining to tbe ratepayers the proposals which will be submitted to a poll of the ratepayers to be taken in. February for the raising of a loan for street improvement purposes. “If this place wer© in America,’* remarked the Rev. J. K. Archer, Mayor of Christchurch, regarding Taieri Mouth, “there would be continued screams regarding its beauty. Yet her© it is at the very door, so to speak, of Dunedin, and I suppose not one-half of the residents know by experience of its attractions. As for the district outside Dunedin, th© ignorance is even more apparent. In coming by the southern express wc inquired at Baldatha, but could not learn how to get to Taieri Mouth. The Exhibition Bureau and the Tourist Bureau wer© also blank as regards information. The Railway Department was almost as hopelessly ignorant, though we were able to learn that we could go by rail and boat, in which case we would have to get out at Titu, but the officials could not say whether the boat connected with the train in the evening or not. Now there are visitors from all parts of the world in Dunedin at the present time, and it seems as if it ri nobody s business to draw their attention to a beauty spot that is gradually forcing its attention upon the public by its merit.” Th© young man, Robert M‘lntosh, who disappeared from the farm of his employer, Mr Wm. Marshall, Warep-a, on the night of January 12, after a disagreement with a member of the family, returned on Saturday night. It is believed that be had not been very far away, as the police bed been unable to trace bim. The following are the returns of infectious disease© at the Dunedin and Fewer Hospitals for th© week ended at noon yesterday:—Diphtheria, admitted 2. die.'barged 2. remaining 12; scarlet fever, admitted 2, remaining ♦. The postal authorities advise that the Maunganui, which is due at Wellington today from Sydney, is carrying IS7 bags of mail (including 95 begs from the United Kingdom); and 10 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail should arrive here tomorrow afternoon. The steamer Kawatiri, which arrived at Port Chalmers yesterday morning from Newcastle, brought six bags of Australian mail matter for Dunedin. The R.M.S. Makura. which arrived at Wellington yesterday morning from San Francisco, via ports, brought a largo European and American mail for New Zealand. The Dunedin portion comprises: London 56 bags, Marine Post Office 19, Glasgow four, Edinburgh five, Manchester three, Vancouver throe, San Francisco 3S bags end 87 parcel receptacles. The letter mail is expected to come to hand this afternoon, and the remainder by goods train tomorrow morning. The steamer . Mooraki. which is due at Wellington on Friday from Melbourne, is carrying six bags of Australian mail matter for Dunedin. This maS should come to hand on Saturday afternoon.

New grass-seed importation regulations affecting Australia were published in the Gazette on Friday hat. For tho purpose of the regulations the term “grass-seed” includes lucerne, clover, and millet seed. The introduction into New Zealand of graesseed grown in Queensland, or the tiefcinfestation quarantine area of New Sooth Wales, is prohibited. Grass-seed grown in New South Wales other tha» in the tickin feetation quarantine area may be imported subject to the following conditions: (a) That prior to shipment to the Dominion it has been subjected to fumigation by carbon bisulphide, at a st rongth of lOfb to 10C0 cubic feet of chamber space, for a period of not Ws than twenty-four hours; and (b) that it is accompanied by a certificate. signed by the consignor, . . . and also by a certificate, signed by an officer of the Department of Agriculture of that State. . . Grass-seed grown in the States of Victoria. South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania may bo imported into New Zealand, subject to the production o£ a similar certificate.

Our Middlemarch correspondent reports that the weather for the past week has been hot and dry, with the exception of a sharp thunderstorm which fell on Thursday oyer the lower end of the Taieri Plain. Rain generally is needed, especially for the crops, which are beginning to turn colour, and would be filled out by a good soaking. Lambs continue to do well, and drafting will commence very shortly. Dr W. T. Porteous, of the Presbyterian, Punjab Mission, who hae recently returned from India, will give his first address in Dunedin this evening in the Concert HaU of the Education Court, a lantern lecture entitled “India and Her Peoples.” Our enthusiasm for “Np-Rubbinj Laundry Help” never siacktSM rwcaaso it brightens wives and generally make# for better times. A Is packet does 7 washings.—Advt. Barth Electrical Supplies tLtd.l, 61 Princes street, Dunedin. The most central and up-to-date bouse in Dunedin for every description of electrical appliances. Wire* less apparatus a specialty.—Advt. Tired Feet. —A cure at last. Acts Kite % charm. Walk 20 miles, feet stiS good. ‘ Iteit” does th e trick. Use Itwt and be happy. Send 12 penny stamps for a tin of Itsit.—H. L. Sprcsen (Ltd.), chemists. Octagon. Dunedin, —Advt. Glad, singing housewives confront ns at every turn, thanks to “No-Rubbing Laundry Help,’’ the abolisher of washboard slavery. —Advt. Frequent and drastic laboratory tests prove that Kodak Film is unequalled in speed, latitude, and fineness of grain. Keeps test under trying conditions. —Advt Eyes are precious. At first sign of weaknets go to the qualified and experienced (2S years) optometrist, W. V. Sturm er, D. 5.0.1., G.A.O.C. Octagon, Dunedin. Most up-to-date equipment, including latest electrically-lit testing charts, installed.—. Advt A. E. J. Blakeley and W. EL Bagley, dentists. Bank of Australasia, career of Bond and Rattray streets 'next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. —Advt. For diamond Engagement rings, from £lO to £2OO ,and lifetime watches.—Peter Dick, jewellers and optometrists. 490 Moray place, Dunedin. Send for catalogue.—Advt.