A FRUITLESS QUEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22258, 10 May 1934, Page 7

A FRUITLESS QUEST

ENDEAVOUR TO BUY WHEAT SIR BENJAMIN FULLER’S EXPERIENCE (Special to Dailx Times.) WELLINGTON, May 9. There is a mau in Wellington to-day who has been trying for the past two months to buy 100.000 tons of wheat in Australia for a European buyer and has been unsuccessful although he has a bank guarantee foe the full amount. He is Sir Benjamin Fuller, the wellknown theatrical figure, who arrived from Sydney by the Wanganella to-day on a brief business visit. A About two months ago I was, commissioned by a friend of mine in Europe to buy 100,000 English tons of wheat, and I blindly went into the market expecting , to buy like anybody else,” said Sir Benjamin to. a reporter. “ I found, however, that' there are as many difficulties in the buying. of wheat as ,h» the buying of motion picture films. The net result is that all I can get is a couple of parcels from. Western Australia amounting to about .3000. or 4OOG tons. Of course, lam a layman in these matters, but when I hear and read of farmers’ troubles it makes me wonder. Some people told me I could not get shipping for such a huge amount. Others advised me to wait until May 15, and others still simply told me to mind my own business, - which I am quite prepared to do, but I am trying to oblige my friend, and, without giving the matter much professional thought, I am amazed at the position, especially since I have a bank guarantee. • So far as I can see the silos are chock-a-block with grain. I travel by motor and train through Australia and see sidings with sacks and sacks of it, and yet I cannot even get a * quote.’ “ I inquired from: -brokers and wheat commissions in all parts of the country, and that was all 1 was told.” Sir Benjamin added: “I can’t do any more., I give it up.”