WHEAT IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21034, 9 December 1933, Page 14

WHEAT IMPORTS

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE NO ACTION CONTEMPLATED AT PRESENT [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, December 8. Two urgent questions directing the Government's attention to the manner in which wheat is being both imported and exported in large quantities were put to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) in the House of Representatives today. Mr Forbes explained the reason for the importation of Canadian wheat, and said that the Government had no intention of placing an embargo on it. The first question was asked by Mr H. S. S. Kyle (C., Riccarton), who said that for the nine months ending September 30, 1933, flour and wheat to the extent of 707,462 bushels had been imported, costing the country 6s 9d a bushel, while on the other hand New Zealand had exported about 1,000,000 bushels at 3s a bushel. He asked whether, in the interest of the 8000 New Zealand wheat growers, the Government would consider means to prevent further importations of wheat and Hour. Mr C. Carr (Lab., Timaru) asked a similar question, dealing particularly with Canadian wheat. He said that the Dominion had 1,000,000 bushels of surplus wheat carried over from last year, and that indications were for a more than average yield next season. "The Prime Minister said that the Government was aware that this year, as in previous years, there had been importations of wheat and flour to the Dominion, and that the cost of these was higher than that of the local product. There was no indication of any appreciable increase in the amount of importations, which were made because millers desired a certain amount of imported wheat to mix with local wheat. The mixture appealed more to consumers, and after all they were the ones who determined the trade that was to be done. Importers were paying the extra duty, and everything else, because they felt it pave a little bit extra of what might be called flavour. Although the m-ice was quite high thev still felt it was to their advantage to put up something that would appeal to their customers. The Government was watching the position, and if there was move wheat imnorted than was required for *h« purno.se of mixing action could be taken. At present he did not propose to take any action.

On the recommendation of its traffic inspector, the Rangiora County Council has decided to press for the fixing of a speed limit of 30 miles an hour for motor-cycles carrying pillion riders. In his report to the monthly meeting of the council, the inspector said that he did not agree to the proposal to abolish pillion riding on motorcycles, for many reasons, but that he strongly advised the council to press for a speed limit of 30 miles an hour on all roads. He believed that that would have the effect of minimising the risk of accidents. The council agreed to the recommendation.