SEED EXPLOITATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1276, 15 March 1918, Page 3

SEED EXPLOITATION.

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. The present high prices of cocksfoot, and the allegation that the consumer is being exploited, formed the subject of- inquiry by the Board of Trade today. The position is a serious one, for values have reached the stage when many farmers find the acquiring of seed absolutely prohibitive. In connection with the inquiry, the transactions of several firms are being investigated. At present the grower is receiving prices ranging from lOd to 1/2 from the merchant, whilst dressed seed is selling at 1/7 to 1/8 per lb. The trouble is partly attributable to a poor yield, but partly to a system of forward buying which in market parlance has “caught”| many merchants. Incidentally these sufferers will receive scant sympathy. This forward buying has, time and time again, forced values up above their legitimate level, and is an aspect of business which might very well form the subject of investigation by the Board of Trade. Early in the season a section of the merchants bought cocksfoot on early delivery at 10d per lb without restriction as to weight or colour. A rainy period followed, and much of the cocksfoot was spoilt. In addition the real season opened at a high scale of values, and many growers did not scruple to ignore their previous contracts and sell to others at a higher figure. Those merchants who had made forward purchases had also made forward sales, and with the cocksfoot they had contracted to buy falling both in quality and quantity, were forced to look elsewhere. Their frantic buying forced up values to the extent previously stated. Hence the Board of Trade is making investigations. Recently there appeared a pipe which carries a match safe in its stem. Working along these lines a New Yorker has secured a patent on a tobacco box which contains a match safe. The tobacco box is provided with a rectangular recess in which a layer of paper matches is placed, and a spring-oper-ated flap which covers the recess ordinarily. “NO RUBBING” Laundry Help. “GOLDEN RULE” Soap. “GOLDEN RULE” Candles. “GOLDEN RULE’ Writing Tablets. Winning on their merits. Royds Bros, and Kirk, Ltd., wholesale agents for “GOLDEN RULE” and “NO RUBBING.”