FLOUR EMBARGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22810, 20 February 1936, Page 10

FLOUR EMBARGO

A MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION CLOSE WATCH ON IMPORTATIONS (Peb United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 19. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr D. G. Sullivan) stated to-day' that, in view of the doubt which seemed to exist among merchants over the flour embargo, a brief explanation was necessary. The Minister stated that the embargo had not yet been actually imposed, but he anticipated that it would be imposed very shortly. In the meantime he and the department were advising merchants and others not to place new orders for flour overseas without obtaining a permit. Flour ordered from or contracted for overseas or shipped and afloat prior to February 10 would be allowed to come into the Dominion, although a permit to land the flour would be necessary. Orders placed after February 10 definitely required a permit, application for which should be made to the Minister through the department. For the present if it was proved to the satisfaction of the Government and the Wheat Committee that- the use of some flour made from wheat grown overseas was necessary, wheat would be imported and gristed in New Zealand.

In the meantime, - too, said the Minister, until the Government’s scheme took full effect it might be necessary to continue to import flour, although with the uses of certain classes of “bread improvers ” the quantity of flour required would be less than hitherto. Such importations would only be allowed under a permit. ■