FLOUR COMPETITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12081, 9 August 1917, Page 4

FLOUR COMPETITION.

SCH'THERX MILES CLOSLN'G,

[Fro:,; Ovr Cor.nrsroxDENT.T WELLINGTON, August S.

The attention of the Government waǤ called by the Hon I). Buddo to-dav to the. dosing of certain southern flour mills through the competition of imported tlour with the locally milled product. Mr Buddo mentioned that he had received a letter from millers and on-' from an employee who had ken discharged, owing to the Government tying millers regarding tho price of wheat, and flour to como in without limitation. It seemed to him that there was real danger ahead regarding this 'juestiou of competition of imported Hour, and the matter wag r,n urgent, one for attention by the Hoard of Trade.

'The Prime Minister replied that the Government bad not neglected the matter, and would ileal with it at 1 , next Cabinet meeting on Saturday or Monday. The position was difficult, but would have to k faced, as Australia had something like six million tons of \vhe<H stored, with another harvest coming on Owing to the shipping difficulty"* it was almost impossible to got tile Imperial Government's wheat pUr< chases away, consequently Australian millers were exceedingly anxious to find other markets for their wheat or flour. Thev u 'ere sending largo quantities to Now Zealand at :i low price, and it was difficult to find fault with a. low price. Mr Poole: Don't jump the cost ol "living.