Protected Wheatgrowers

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 105, 27 January 1933, Page 11

Protected Wheatgrowers

Sir, —Those of your readers who have been persuaded into the belief, that the protection given wheat growing is the last thing in iniquity should note what is being done in other countries to assist the wheatgrowing industry. In New South Wales a Federal bonus of £500,000 has been allotted, and the State is devoting another £350,000. A flour acquisition Act is in force to raise, the price of wheat used for flour for local purposes, also reductions in railway freights and wharf charges. Both Federal and State bonuses were also given to Victorian growers last year, and now a flour acquisition Bill is before the State House. The Bill proposes that the Government should impose what is in effect a tax of £l/12/6 per ton on flour gristed for local consumption, and to distribute the proceeds, less administrative charges, to the wheatgrowcres. This, added to the Federal and State assistance, means that the local consumer is paying the equivalent of over 1/- a bushel to the wheatgrowers to enable the balance to be exported at the prices now ruling. Is this not “dumping in its most cold-blooded form,” to quote some North Island critics. But Victoria and New South Wales, like England (where local wheat is protected to 5/7 a bushel), Germany (protection 12/6 a cwt.), France (6/7s) and Italy (6/8), realise the absolute, need of preserving their wheat-growing industry. Unfortunately, in New Zealand, we have a selfish section of the community that objects to our farmers receiving 3/-, with the possibility months ahead of another Bd. or 9d. —I am, etc., CANTERBURY. Christchurch, January 23.