POLLARD SUPPLIES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 13 March 1939, Page 6

POLLARD SUPPLIES

NO INCREASE LIKELY MILLS ON FULL TIME JANUARY CLOSE-DOWN SHORTAGE IN CUSP.ORNE There is no likelihood of the present shortage of pollard supplies in Gisborne being obviated by an increase in shipments from the South Island, according to a statement made by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, in reply to representations made by Gisborne giocers through Mr. D. W. Coleman, MP. Recently a deputation from the Master Grocers' Association in Gisborne waited upon Mr. Coleman, and placed before him the difficulty they were having in meeting the demand for pollard. Their views were passed on to the Minister, who in his reply stressed the fact that the low price fixed by the Department for this byproduct of wheat had created a demand greater than could be comfortably met by the authorities. "The position with regard to pollard supplies is a difficult one, and for your information I set out all the relevant facts," writes the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Dependent on Gristing Colume "Pollard is, as you know, a by-pro-duct of flour-milling and the quantity manufactured in New Zealand is therefore dependent on the amount of wheat gristed for flour. The embargo which we have placed on (lour importations has increased the supply by ensuring that practically all our flour requirements are milled in New Zealand. We have fixed the price at a relatively low figure in the interests of those who require pollard as a stock food, and at this price pollard is proving a very popular and cheap feedstuff. We are therefore in the position that the demand is high, and is increasing, and we are unable to increase the home produce supply. "In the circumstances, there is no alternative but to ration supplies. This is done on as fair a basis as is possible, but it is not possible to give j full supplies to anyone. As most of our flour is milled in the South Island, a considerable amount of pollard for the North Island is also produced in the South. The pollard produced in Auckland is not sufficient for the. requirements of the Auckland district, and some pollard is therefore shipped to Auckland from the South Island. It would therefore not be economical to ship pollard back from Auckland to Gisborne, and all the supplies which can be made available to Gisborne are accordingly shipped from the South Island. Australian Imports Dearer ,*, "There is no embargo on shipnients from Auckland to Gisborne, as the deputation seems to have assumed, but the position is simply that there is a shortage in all districts, and Auckland is no better placed than any other district. "There is always a shortage of pollard, too. at this time of the year, when the position is usually more acute because the mills close down tor two or three weeks in January for stall holidays and annual overhaul of machinery. For these reasons it has been difficult in the past fewweeks to supply even the usual quantities, but the supply positions shortly should be back to normal, as the mills are now again working full-time. "As much pollard as can be spared is being shipped direct to Gisborne from the South Island, and I regret that it is not possible to increase the quantities shipped. "I understand that supplies for pollard arc available in Australia, and it can be imported without restriction and free of duty. Some Auckland merchants have been importing Australian pollard, and it may be possible for your friends to arrange for supplies from these sources. The price of Australian supplies is, however, considerably higher, than that of the New Zealand product."