PRICE OF BREAD IS NOT LIKELY TO RISE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18381, 6 February 1928, Page 9

PRICE OF BREAD IS NOT LIKELY TO RISE.

AMPLE WHEAT SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE.

The question has been raised in the North Island as to whether there is likely to be a rise in the price of bread when flour made from new season’s wheat comes on to the market. This does not seem at all likely. For one thing, it has to be remembered that, with the new sliding scale of duties on imported flour, the price of flour in New Zealand, and consequently bread, is governed to a greater extent than ever by the price of Australian flour. When flour is dear in Australia, the duty on it here is reduced, and the result is that, within certain limits, Australian flour can always be landed in this country at about the same price. The New Zealand miller, therefore, has to consider carefully any increase in price, otherwise he may find himself being undersold by imported flour. Another point is that, when -the Government fixed the sliding scale of duties, they did so with the idea of the New Zealand grower receiving 6s a bushel for his wheat, and of flour being maintained at about the present price. It is a matter of opinion whether the Government were right in their estimates, but the fact remains that so far millers have bought little wheat at 6s. Probably the bulk of the purchases have been made at 5s 9d. and some at 5s Bd. There is every indication that the quantity of wheat produced in New Zealand this year will be ample to meet all requirements, and probably most, growers will have to be content with less than 6s for their wheat. Sugar. The sugar supplies, which arrived ; n Christchurch last, week, landed on a bare market, and therefore they were very welcome. The cargo was a large one, and it relieved an acute position. There is no shortage of sugar in Auckland, and the recent trouble was due to lack of regular shipments. Representations on the sugject have been made to the Union Steam Ship Company, and it is expected that there will be no further difficulties with regard to

sugar supplies during the remainder of the present season.

Vegetables and Fruit. Vegetables and fruit are still in plentiful supply, and prices generally are low. Lettuces cost 2d each, cabbages 3d and 4d each, cauliflowers 4d and 6d each, marrows 3d a lb. potatoes Sib for is. onions 3d a lb. French beans 6d a lb, cucumbers 4d. 6d and 8d each. Pears cost 6d a lb. dessert peaches 4d, fid and Sd a lb, apricots 6d to 9d a lb. tomatoes lOd and Is a lb for the best, bananas 6,8, 10 and 12 for Is, oranges, 3, 4 and 5 for Is, grape-fruit 4d each, passion fruit 6 for Is, cherries Is 6d a lb, cooking plums 31b for 6d, dessert apples 6cl and 8d a lb, cooking apples 4d a lb.