NEW ZEALAND FLOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12087, 16 August 1917, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND FLOUR.

STATEMENT BY !\l R NORTON. 'lhe qllal ity ol : New Zealand flc/jr was criticised by Mr F. G. Norton, of Lyttellon, in ;in interview with a '"Star" reporter to-clay. Tic snit] tlint the Hon T>. Buddo, M.P., had drawn gioomv pictures of the importation of wheat and flour and its effect on millers and farmers, that -Mr 0. Witty, M.P., had stated that wheat was much better and harder this season, and that the Prime Minister had stated that ho had seen the very best of bread made from this season's flour. " While I respect the opinions of such practical fanners," Air Norton said, 11 I think that they have a. great deal to learn before, they understand the difference in the quality of flour or before they could ever hope to make a livelihood by baking it. During the past two seasons, in many districts, much damage was done by frosts, and in many cases the effects of frost-bite cannot bo detected until the. wheat is brought into contact with yeast. The, stupid method of threshing out of stool: has a disastrous effect on the quality of New Zealand flour, it should bo prohibited by law. If .Mr "Witty wishes to be really useful, he wili have legislation introduced compelling everv farmer to stack his wheats crops for at least three months liefore threshing. During that very critical time the milk passes off in sweat and the grain matures, and in that' way abundantly increases in quality. '* By the cross-fertilisation of wheat farmers would benefit immeasurably. Giain, like other tilings, needs a change. Although it may continue to yield well £er acre, it loses its fine quality, 'its" superior texture and its strength. In the past, the farmer lias sacrificed the quality to the yield. Some varieties of wheat, are absolutely unsuitable for producing the best quality of floor. *" As a patriot, and as a man who always has taken deep interest in the domestic; and industrial affairs of this country, T deeply sympathise with millhands and millers in the peculiar crisis that has arisen; but I have had a technical training and a wide experience as a business man, and I can assure them that the baking fraternity does nob import Australian flour for the fun of tho thing, but as a matter ol sheer necessity."