THE WHEAT SUPPLY.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13592, 6 October 1914, Page 4

THE WHEAT SUPPLY.

PRIME MINISTER ON THE

SITUATION.

QUOTATIONS FROM AMERICA

RECORD PRICES NEXT SEASON

PREDICTED

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Wellington, Oct. 5

The situation in regard to the price of foodstuffs and necessaries was the subject of a statement by the Prim© Minister in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr. Massey said he had been in communication with the chairman •of the Trade and Commerce Commission, who was in Wellington, and it had been arranged that sittings would commence there certainly not later than Wednesday, when evidence would be taken from the members of the deputation of ■flourmillers who did not take advantage of the opportunity of giving evidence on the first occasion. Probably the commission would/also take evidence in Christchurch. ... He recognised that the responsibility for putting the Act into operation rested with the Government, but it was the Government's duty to accept the recommendations of the commission so long as it had confidence in that body. "I need not remind members of what is taking place in Australia," continued the Prime Minister. "It bears out what I said on a previous occasion as to the supply of wheat and flour. I asked one of the largest flourmillers in America to give me a quota tion for 1000 tons of flour as a minimum and 4000 tons as a- maximum on the basis 'charges include freight' or 'free oh board.' The quotation c.i.f Montreal landed. Wellington or other New Zealand port was £15 16s 3d per ton, and free on board Montreal £13 17s 6d. The reports from Australia show that neither wheat nor flour can be spared this season. This justifies my appeal to the farmers to' raise additional wheat next season, as it looks as if wheat and flour will reach such a pr.ice as we have not seen for 20 years."