An HON MEMBER(whose name did not appear on the Notice paper) asked the Food Controller if he will state the relative cost of shipping maize in bulk as against bags; and if steps are being taken to make the South African maize trade more competitive by shipping in bulk?
405W
§ Mr. McCURDYNo valid comparison of the cost of shipping maize in bulk and in bags respectively is possible since the question as to which of these systems is adopted is dependent on the amount and the nature of the trade in maize done by the country of export. So far as South Africa is concerned, the custom of the trade has always been to ship maize in bags as being clearly the most convenient method owing to the large variety in the grades of maize produced and the necessity for the inland transport of comparatively small amounts; and in the opinion of the Food Controller it is not desirable that any alteration in the present method should be made.