WHEAT SUPPLIES. (Per Zealandia at Auckland.) Auckland, February 4.

Otago Witness, Issue 2241, 11 February 1897, Page 14

WHEAT SUPPLIES. (Per Zealandia at Auckland.) Auckland, February 4.

The Right Hon. James Lowther, M.P., presided over a *par«ely attended conference of Protec- ! tionists in St. James Hall, London, on December 10. Among thoie present were Messrs Howorth, Disraeli, Seton-Karr, and Saudys, M.l"c. Mr Lowther addressed the conference, and in the course of his remarks laid great stress upon the statement that Mr William L*urier, Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada, had promised not to interfere with the Protective policy of Canada. Tha last general election there, he«aid, was a definite settlement of tho Canadian policy in the direction of Protection. Mr Lowther said he was as strongly opposed to the ruiu of England by Manitoba wheat as by Minnesota wheat, and declared that it was no lorjger true that the masses in England were opposed to any imposition of duties. He explained that between 2,500,000 and 3,000,000 acres of land had been elbowed out of certain production in Kngland for £130,000,000 worth of imports, the most of which could be produced in Great Biitain. lie was in favour of a duty of s<) per cent, on whpnt, v Inch he said would yifl'l a levonue of £12 51)0,000. Yet only raUing the price of oread for a tv i-jjiuwn man3«'P4d»year. 'Ihe New York Sun of December 11 and an Interesting report became current on the Produce Exchange that a cargo of winter wheat had been taken for France. The fact that tho rumour could not be confirmed by inquiry among the usual shippers does not prove it to be without foundation. The roost trustworthy advices from Paris j are that France will probably havo to import a j large amount of wheat during the last half of the ' present crop year, and as she uses only winter wheat the immediate supply is comparatively light. It can hardly be expected that those who will undertake to supply a large part of the French demand will disclose their operations at this early date. There is reason to btlieve that wheat charters to French ports will be announced Bhortly. A Montreal (Canada) despatch to the New York i Evetiing Post on January 4, says the largest i Etock3 of Ontario wheat are being bought for export. The uemand in England is paitly attributed to the fact that the American winter wheat is being all taken up by the miller*. Their shipments are said to be the first wheat exports from Ontario for almost two years. A London Times despatch from Calcutta, on January 5, say* that the returns of tbe seaboard trade for November plainly sliow the effrcts r>f the famine. The export of wheat has practically teased, and the export of rice has declined.