8

H.—44.

As no permits were required for public works, educational buildings, or works involving less than £20, the figures shown do not cover the whole of the material required or used during the period. Local bodies' works involving material up to £100 were excluded. The following table gives the returns of material and labour involved in cases where the Board of Trade declined to grant building-permits, and in cases where permits were issued on condition that imported materials were used : —

THE WHEAT TRADE. PURCHASE OF NEW ZEALAND CROP, 1920-21. Since the Board issued its last report the measures of control over the wheat trade have been in some respects made more elaborate. The purchase of the 1918-19 and the 1919-20 crops has been completed, while the 1920-21 crop is now being dealt with. The prices for the 1920-21 crop, f.o.b. southern ports, are as follow : Tuscan, 7s. 6d. per bushel; Hunters, 7s. 9d.; Pearl, Bs. GUARANTEE FOR NEXT SEASON. The Government followed the principle of guaranteeing to the farmer a minimum price for all wheat produced, such rate to be revised upwards if the world's markets warranted. The guarantee for the 1921-22 was officially announced by the Hon. Mr. Nosworthy in the following Gazette notice : — " Wheat-prices : Guarantee for 1922. " The Government has undertaken to purchase from wheat-growers all good milling-wheat of the 1921-22 season at the following minimum prices : — " (a.) For Tuscan and similar varieties, ss. 6d. per bushel, f.o.b. For Hunters and similar varieties, ss. 9d. per bushel, f.o.b. For Pearl and similar varieties, 6s. 3d. per bushel, f.o.b. " (b.) An increment of fd. per bushel per month will be added to above prices for wheat dealt with between Ist May, 1922, and 31st October, 1922. " (c.) Market rates will be paid if in excess of the above guaranteed minimum prices. •' (d.) If it is necessary to determine market rates the Government will be guided by the following principle : In the event of any adjustment in prices being necessary the Government will be guided

Permits declined. Permii In ts granted f( iported Mat >r Use of trials. District. Number of Applications. Timber. Cement. Bricks. Number of Applications. Timber. Cement. Auckland City Hamilton Rotorua Auckland Province .. New Plymouth Hawera Taranaki Palmerston North .. Wanganui Wellington City Wellington Province Napier Gisborne Hawke's Bay Christchurch Timaru Canterbury Dunedin Oamaru Otago Invercargill Southland Nelson Marlborough 41 7 3 46 4 2 5 6 14 19 8 6 3 11 21 9 !() 10 3 10 6 7 5 1 Eeet. 178,503 93,190 23,905 531,136 10,600 14,670 ' 31,200 40,950 113,725 127,567 99,800 17,200 13,070 25,425 145,026 89,878 162,062 46,906 308 13,850 62,400 84,450 61,864 400 Bags. 15,179 6,704 201 8,153 722 1,152 990 3,434 332 6,652 1,116 630 135 2,085 3,886 6,932 2,989 2,869 33 1,752 1,840 702 1,858 180 Number. 190,500 176,000 589,500 98,100 161,500 141,700 355,000 146,300 46,500 95,000 170,000 559,500 327,400 212,500 97,000 26 3 11 2 4 1 3 5 41 13 9 1 9 14 2 1 5 1 1 6 6 1 1 Feet. 40,800 4,305 Bags. 57,716 1,529 6,838 1,800 450 268 1,170 5,148 19,866 13,352 1,188 5 3,213 16,433 904 90 3,022 10 72 747 387 18 2,016 1,200 29,600 86,000 3,200 6,000 Totals 260 1,988,085 70,526* 3,482,300 166 46,305 136,242f *Eqi lal to 3,9183 ton: t Equal to 7,569 ti >ns.