COST OF LIVING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11473, 27 February 1918, Page 7

COST OF LIVING.

ANOTHER RISE PREDICTED. MILLERS TO RAISE PRICE QF FLOUR. £ ———» The Times is informed on excellent authority that an arrangement has been entered Muto between the Government and the millers under which the price of Hour will definitely be increased. Millers recently met in Christchurch, it is understood, and considered the position, coming to tho ' conclusion that to mill wheat at j current officially-fixed rates, and | sell it at £ls per ton, did not pay. i Tho Government fixed tho price of dour at £ls per ton, free on board at shipping ports, on February Kith, 1917, on tho basis of 5s 7d per bushel for Tuscan, 5s 8d per bushel for Velvet and Pearl wheat, rising by per bushel monthly to the end of duly, 1917. On December 92nd, 1917, the prices for the now harvest were fixed at 5s XOd per bushel, with Gd per bushel advance per monthVp to September, 1918. This would bring tho wheat up to (is 1 d per bushel. To this has to bo added hid per bushel for brokers’ selling charges and 1-Sd por bushel for brokers’ buyers charges; also hid per bushel for Government expenses, making cost of wheat as at September, 1918, (is 2hid por bushel to millers. They say that this additi al cost; of the wheat does not leave sufficient margin to soil dour at £ls, What is known as ‘prompt’’ business is being done to-day at £ls per ton, and mills will supply any quantity according to their capacity at that figure, but they will not entertain business beyond February’ 28th at £ls. Borne, 'however, aro prepared to take orders at 5s por ton of dour below the Government price on March hst—whatever that may be. Putting tho face and figures together with tho trade wholesalers and brokers have come to tho conclusion that a rise in the price of flour is pending. Tho Board of Trade is at present in Canterbury on wheat and flour business.

The estimated average yield of wheat in tho Dominion for the 191718 harvest is 4J.6 bushels better to the acre than that of 191(5-17. The total yield, according to the Governments' information, should he 7,800,000 bushels this harvest, s against an actual yield of 5.051,937 bushels last harvest. That will give an approximate increased prod notion of, sav, 2,750,000 bushels. It will he more, but in arriving at the positon it is preferable to, take a conservative! view of (lie figure. _ The .Dominion’s own consumption is approximately 0,000,0(10 bushels per annum, so there ought to bo a surplus of fully 1,800,000 bushels.