§ Lieut.-Colonel WHITEasked the Minister of Food what reason retailers are called upon to advance money for one month for the increased price of flour whilst wholesalers have no such obligation; whether he is aware that retailers do not regard the receiving of a credit note instead of cash at the end of such period as a satisfactory arrangement; and whether he can see his way to alter the regulations in these respects?
§ Mr. McCURDYOwing to the enormous number of bakers and retailers, amounting to upwards of 140,000, and the relatively insignificant number of wholesale dealers, it is not considered administratively desirable to adopt in the case of the retail trade the procedure which is essential in dealing with the wholesale trade. The method of reimbursing retailers 2219W by a system of credits in the books of their suppliers is precisely the same as that adopted when the price of flour was reduced on the introduction of the Bread Subsidy in September, 1917, when it evidently met with the entire approval of the traders affected.