CANADIAN FLOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 16

CANADIAN FLOUR

INCREASE IN PRICE EXPLAINED QUESTION OF IMPORTATIONS ; WHEAT EXPERIMENTS IN DOMINION i (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 27. The following statement was made by Mr R. McPher son, general manager of the Wheat Committee, regarding the increase in the price of flour gristed in New Zealand from Canadian wheat:— "The increase in the price of Canadian flour was not unexpected by the bakers, as several months ago the bakers were advised by the Wheat Committee that on account of the increase in the world price of wheat a rise in the price of Canadian flour could be expected about October. The only Canadian wheat imported into New Zealand is No. 1 hard Manitoba, which this year, on account of bad weather in Canada, is in very short supply, and which because of the world-wide demand for it for mixing purposes has increased considerably in price. The Canadian flour which will be used in New Zealand from March 1, 1937, till the end of March, 1938, will not amount to more than 2200 tons, which is slightly less than U per cent, of the total flour used. " Before the inauguration ot the wheat and flour scheme, about 12,000 tons of flour was imported annually from Canada and the United States, and apart from the loss of the home market for New Zealand wheatgrowers, flourmillers and workers, this importation of flour meant a shortage of nearly 5000 tons of bran and pollard for the pig and poultry industries. Many bakers are now of the opinion that Canadian flour is unnecessary for general mixing purposes and use it only for special bread requiring vary strong flour. "The Wheat Committee, asi is generally known, had 1200 acres of wheat specially grown last season in various parts of the wheat districts for experimental purposes. This wheat was recently , gristed and widely distributee! amongst bakers throughout New Zealand for testing, and the reports now coming to hand indicate that the flour made from certain New Zealamd wheats can be used successfully for the same purposes as those for which Canadian has hitherto been employed."