" The estimated wheat yield for season, the shortage for local de mands, and details regarding im portations were marshalled H>y Mr Carrulhcrs m the following fashion : An exact estimate of the wheat crop for the seaseir cannot he given for about three weeks, Imt no doubt the grain harvest.would not exceed 3,50U,UU0 'bushels. As the require ments for food amount to 8,000,000 and for seed to 2,000,000 bushel, there will be a .shortage of 0,500,- 000 bushels. The estimated wheat yields.of tie other States is about 12,000,000 bushels. Their food and seed requirements-are about 20,000,- 00 busle's, stowing a shortage oi 7,500,000 bushels, which added to the New South Wales shortage, is 14,000,000 bushels. Those figures refer to consumption under ordinary circumstanccsi but if bread gets dearer consumption, will fall, and the shortage will drop, to about 11,- 000,000 bushels, , " The importation for the whole State of fodder and .breadstuff/ from January, Ist to September 3uth, and the', revenue from import duties show as follows: Flour, 177,118 centals,, revenue £ll.O-18; wheat 580,372 bushels, revenue £3191; maize 467,317 bushels, revenue £10,789 ; oats 1/158,008 bushels; revenue £10,007 ; hay. and chftfi, 2-12,82-1 tons, revenue £732,, Of these imports ,New Zealand contri buted 3(>,r>oo bushels wheat, 127,110 bushels maize, 290,700 bushels oats, and ll,o73c\vt liay and chili. INCREASES IN 'PRICES OF Nlv

CESSITIES, " I have received, from the Govern ment Statistician, Mr Uamithcrs continued, an interesting table show ing the increiises in the prices of necessary commodities that have taken place between November 10th, WOO, and, November, lutli, 1902. From that statement I take the following iigures. , ,_,,„„ Milling wheat; 1900, 2s 7d to 2s Bcl per bushel; 1902, us 7d per bushel. Flour: 1900, £0 to £6 10s per ton; 1902, city roller, Jill to £ll 10s per ton. Maine, prime grain : 1900, prime gi/jn, lis per bushel : 1902, prime river feed, 5s (id to 5s 9d.
