DUMPING DUTY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 12

DUMPING DUTY.

GROWERS DISSATISFIED. MINISTER CRITICISED AT ASHBURTON. further dissatisfaction with the decisions nf the Minister for Customs (the Hon. Mr Downie Stewart) in regard to the imposition of dumping duty on imported flour was expressed at the MidCanterbury Provincial Executive of the Xew Zealand Farmers' Union held at Ashliurton vestcrdav.

The South Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union wrote forwarding a copy of a-resolution it had passed at its last meeting, which was as follows: "That any wheat imported after February Ist should be nude to pay duty."

The Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. Mr Hawken) wrote in reply to a resolution passed at a meeting of wheatgrowers held at Ashburton on Jnnuarv Hth, stating that the matter had been receiving the earnest consideration of the Government, and they would note that the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. Mr Downio Stewart) as Minister for Customs, had issued a statement on the subject of flour importations, and the position with regard to the imposition of dumping duty. The letters were received.

The president said that they all knew that as a result of protests made by the growers, the Minister for Customs had imposed a dumping duty which would amount to 15s per ton on imported flour from Australia, if there was a disparity in the price for export, and local consumption. "It seems to me that the time has arrived when tho millers will have to declaro whether they arc on the side of the farmers or not," stated Mr Carr. "If they tako the stand of reducing the price of flour and keeping the price of wheat down, the farmers cannot go on growing wheat at the cost of production to-day."

Price for Wheat. Mr \V. T. Lill snid ho was lold l>y a farmer tlint day that he could scarcely get 5s O'd per bushel for his wheat, but the speaker was offered ~>s 8d per bushel for Tuscan on trucks, just the day before. He regretted that n report of a recent meeting of a committee about wheat held in Christckurch had not received enough publicity in its decision that 6s per bushel was a fair price to be paid for this season's wheat. The Government did not appear to be prepared to go any further, yet it would not allow nnyono else to do anything. It was the Government's duty to protect what was grown in the country. The editor of Thk Press in a leading articlo the day before had "hit the thing on the liond" from the dumping duty point of viow. It referred to the quibbling of terms by the Hon. Downie Stewart, and it was a very good article on the question. They should point out to the miller that they were not getting fair play, and it was up to them to give the growers justice. Mr G. W. Lendley said the way the Hon. Mr Downie Stewart had handled the question was to the last degree unsatisfactory. If there were a reduction of 5s on the price of flour in Australia, as reported in the cablegrams recently, it meant that tkelr duty was reduced to 10s a ton. They Bhould not let the matter rest, but should send a deputation to tho Prime Minister upon his return to the Dominion. Ho also mentioned that publicity had never beon given to an agreement made at tho recent conference in Chriatchurch between farmers, merchants, and tho Chamber of Commerce, that the minimum price for Tuscan wheat for milling should be 6s per bushel, and the price for all other varieties to be as per agreement between tho seller and the buyer. He did not know for what reason that resolution had never appeared in the Press. Hundreds of farmers had sacrificed their wheat through not see* ing that resolution.

Millers Criticised. » The chairman: If the millers could pay an average of 7s per bushel last year for Tuscan, and manufacture flour at the price they did, then they have no right to give us the prices offered today, and sell flour at tho samo price. Mr Lill: We should send a resolution to the millers stating that tho farmers are woefully disappointed over their action in regard to wheat after tho farmers have spent so much time in getting all the protection possible. Tho chairman: That would be a decided weakness out our part. Mr Leadley: T3iey are business men and they are entitled to take advantage of tho situation. Mr Lill: Then wo should write to the Hon. Mr Downio Stewart stating that his definition of the question is far from satisfactory. He moved that they write to the chairman of the committee recently set up at tho conference in Christchurch, stating that the decision on the dumping duty, on importations of flour, recently given by the Hon. Mr Downie Stewart, was entirely unsatisfactory, and that he call the committee together at an early date to further consider the position. Mr Leadley seconded the motion, which was carded.

In reply to a question by Mr Brown, the chairman said that although the millers were invited to be represented at tho recent conference in Christchurch, there were no millers present except one who was on hho produce committee of the Chamber i|>f Commerce.

On the motion of Mr Leadley, seconded by Mr Lill, it was decided that tho chairman of the Joint Committee set up on the wllieat question be informed that the Executive was quite in accord with th'j suggestion that the Committee shouln remain in existence.

MEAT EXPORT PRICES. THE >¥EER'S SCHEDULE. LAMB DOWN A FARTHING. The following overall prices, "on hooks," are being paid for sheep and lambs at the various works, up to and including February 19th. It will bo noted that all grades of lamb are down a farthing per lb:— Prime woolly lambs—First quality to 361b, BJd a. lb; first quality to 37-421b, 7|d; first quality, over 421b, 6Jd; eecond quality, ell weight, 7id. Ewo mutton—Up to 481b, Sid; 48-Mlb, 8d; 65-72 and seconds, 2Jd; over T2lb, 2d. YTerther mutton—First quality to 661b, 5Jd; first quality to 57-641b, sd; first quality to 65-72!b, 41d; first quality, over i2lb, 3jd; second quality, all weights, 4{d. CLEARING SALE. H. C. Smith, of the Citv Market, conducted o clearing sale at Retteat road. Avonaide, oa account of Mr J. McClellar.d. The following prices were obtained:—Aged harness gelding, £6 10s; 3 cows in profit, £l4, £l2, £9 10s; aged cow (springing), £9; steam boiler, £2l; abed, £2; calf, 255; three pig troughs, 25e; tarpaulin, £4 15s, sack tarpaulKn, £3; garden bose, 22s 6d; separator, £5; one-leaf harrow. 37» 6d; atand, 17s Bd: piping, 25a; and a quantity of timber and oomtgated iron at satisfactory pricot. There waa a large attendance, _7