THE PRICE OF FLOUR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14609, 20 May 1918, Page 4

THE PRICE OF FLOUR.

♦ In conversation with a reporter this afternoon a local business man who is interested in the flour question and tho price of bread, expressed dissatisfaction at the decision of the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald to get a member of the Food Control Board to visit Gisborne to enquire into the price of flour. Ha considered it would only prove fruitless because the bakers in their deputation said flour cost them £18 a ton, which was not the case with the exception of one occasion when there was a shortage, and in order to relieve the acute position, some Australian flour in Wellington stores was purchased, that prios being obtained. On another occasion some flour was brought from Palmerston North and Auckland, and perhaps a price slightly in excess of the usual amount charged — £15 10s. Nevertheless, the bakers gave the* Hon. Minister to understand that flour cost them. £18 per ton, which was not the case. So far as the irregularity of supplies was concerned, thiswas_due solely to-, the inadequacy^ of shipping space from Lyttelton to Gisborne. Flour- was made moreexpensive at this port also by the lighterage charge, but when the vessel came inside and discharged her cargo, as the Rosamond had done on two occasions, it meant a saving in expense to the bakers of about 7s 6d per ton. As tne result of concerted representation by Napier purchasers to the Union Co., the Tarawera was obtained and extra space provided by the Kamona. He pointed out the necessity of similar action being taken by local users, particularly at the present time, when the harbor was capable of accommodating such vessels as the Rosamond and Kamona. As conditions were at the present time, except for these shipments, quantities had to be brought up in the usual coastal boats, with the result that where 150 tons were wanted only 50 tons could be provided. In conclusion he said the indications were for further increases in ' the prico of flour, as the price of wheat fixed by the Food Control Boad was on a sliding scale as against the fixed price of flour, and jnillers would probably protest and ask for a corresponding increase. He felt confident that with concerted action on the part of local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce, the Union Co. would probably place the servioes of the steamer doing the Lvttelton-Napier service at present at the disposal of Gisborne also, and tend to eliminate the danger of shortages in flour arising.