PRODUCE PROBLEMS.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14407, 18 May 1917, Page 6

PRODUCE PROBLEMS.

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD

PUItQHASE OF AUSTRALIAN

WHEAT,

fUNiTfiD Press Association.]

-Wellington, .'May 17. Ihe prospects of being able to qxiit the large stocks of perishable produce held in store in tho Dominion, and the possibility that next season there may be fewer ships^available for the' New Zealand trade, are being considered b \ Cabinet. > !

A. cable has been sent to Mr Masses with reference to a number of points connected Avith. the shipping difficulty. Cabinet has decided that'a- conference of the National Efficiency ' Board, the Requisitions Committee)- and the Board of Trade shall go into v.he whole problem of production, storage, and shipping, and report to the Government. The conference will meet on Tuesday.

The .wheat supply \va^ Considered by Cabinet. Afterwards Sir James Allen stated" that the news from Australia that'Mr M'acDonald had completed the purchase of one and a half million bushels of wheat Avas not authentic. The actual fact was that a. cable was to be sent to Mr MncDonald that evening, and the bargain 'would probably be completed' in a day or two. "Wheat was being purchased to make good the prospective shortage which must at the present rate of consumption, come upon m before next harvest. Some New Zealand millers had'plenty of wheat for their requirements, but many were al-rea-dy short. The price to be paid for Australian wheat was higher than the Government expected to pay. but it wa.s calculated that millers would be able to sell flour from it at schedule rates.

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